Hi, everybody.
I’ve worn glasses for sixty or so years. I can’t quite imagine me without glasses. But today, due to an issue with my eyes, I had cataract surgery on my right eye and tomorrow I’ll have the same on my left eye. They say when my eyes recover from the surgery, I won’t need glasses for distance. I should be able to walk Frankie without worrying about glasses. Well, maybe sunglasses. I will probably still need glasses for reading, but I will be able to go without glasses sometime. Right now, I’m not seeing well at all, but I have hope instead of worry that will get better.
Anyway, since I’m not seeing well, I pulled out an old post about turning worries into prayers that I hope you will enjoy. Since I first wrote it in 2008, I doubt any of you will remember every word. I certainly didn’t. I do remember the book I talk about worrying over because my editor at the time was slow to respond about the story. It was Angel Sister. You all know that’s a book of my heart since so much of the background of the story was inspired by the memories Mom and her sisters shared about their growing up years.
So, here goes – Worries to Prayers
Have you ever worried about something until you were nearly sick? I know it tells us in the Bible that worrying is useless and shows lack of faith. And I also know that most all of us do some worrying at times. Our teenage son is late getting home — we worry. Our daughter is having a baby — we worry. We get an unexpected bill we aren’t sure we’ll be able to pay — we worry. We are supposed to turn our worries into prayers, and I try to do that. But I have to admit sometimes I keep yanking those worries back, saying, “Wait a minute, Lord. I’m not quite through with that yet.” As if just sitting and stewing and worrying can change a thing. Now prayer, that can change things.
At any rate, I’ve been doing some stewing and worrying the past few months about my just finished book that I sent off to the editor. I waited and waited and waited for news. Good news, I hoped. But then the weeks dragged on. It’s been my experience over the years that good news comes relatively quickly from editors and bad news can be a little slower. So when the time passed when I thought I should have heard, I began to worry that the editor didn’t like the book. I worried it wasn’t a good story. That I hadn’t done a good job. All that worrying messed up my head until I couldn’t seem to get going on my new idea. Then I finally talk to said editor last week and she hadn’t even read the book!! She’d been extra busy and hadn’t gotten to it. I’d made myself sick for all the wrong reasons.
That’s not to say it was good that the editor hadn’t made time to read my book. But it does say that I was worrying about the wrong things. That’s usually the way of it. We worry that this or that will happen and then something altogether different happens and we haven’t done anything but get gray hairs and frown wrinkles from worrying.
Praying is much better and I’m going to try to remember that as I start a new countdown on waiting for news. Pray. Pray. Pray. I believe in prayer. I truly do, but sometimes I don’t act very much as if I do. And then I have to pray for forgiveness and start over at square one. Aren’t you glad the Lord is so forgiving? That He gives us another chance and another chance and another chance if we ask for it.
Well, that’s my sermon of the week. Remember — worry is like a rocking chair. It keeps you busy, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.
P.S. My editor did read my book, Angel Sister, and loved the story. It turned out to be one of my best selling stories and has gotten such great feedback from so many readers. Maybe I did turn some of those worries into prayers and the Lord blessed my story.
Hope you have a blessed week ahead. And no reason to worry.
Have you read Angel Sister, the story that had me worried?
Comments 32
I read Angel Sister and it really spoke deeply to my soul. This series is healing my heart in many ways. Thank you for writing them.
Yes, I read it and enjoyed it very much!
Author
Your comments always have me smiling, Connie. Thanks for reading my stories.
I read it and loved it after a 96 year old friend recommended a KY author he thought I would like. It was the first of 18 books I’ve read by you in the last 10 weeks! My husband and I ministered in E KY for 25 years and have known some wonderful mountain people in the places you’ve mentioned. Looking forward to your next book!
Author
What fun to know a 96 year old friend of yours recommended my story, Shelby. And I always smile when a guy reads my stories since many of them thinking my stories are just for women and of course, they are not. I love it when friends share about book with friends. And gee, I’m impressed that you are flying rhrough reading my stories. Thank you so much.
Great that you followed the Lord to Eastern Kentucky to minister to the people there.
Praying you come through these procedures with flying colors!
Author
Thanks, Becky. It hasn’t been too bad except for getting used to not needing glasses except when I want to read something. Not a fan of having to hunt up reading glasses.
Angel Sister is a fabulous story. One of my favorites.
I had cataract surgery many years ago and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Having to only wear readers is a blessing. And there are so many to choose from. Praying all goes well for you.
Blessings, Ann Leatherman
Author
My husband has readers all over the house, Ann. I’m not sure I won’t get some readers that will be right for reading and for my computer. I really hate having to hunt up readers. Right not I’m reading the computer screen without glasses. If that continues I might manage with readers for close up.
Thanks so much for your sweet prayers.
I read Angel Sister quite a few years ago. I remember I enjoyed it very much! I would like to read it again sometime, but I have an awfully big stack of books I haven’t read yet. Hopefully some day!
Author
Those want to read stacks have a way of getting higher and higher as we add must read stories, May. I totally understand. I’m glad you read it the first time. 🙂
Sister Angel was the first of your books that I read and it hooked me as a fan of your books. I recommend it and now other of your books to my friends often. I think that is the best compliment of any book. 😊
I agree with you about the power of prayer and how we should worry less. But of course we are human. Your post is a good reminder. Best of luck to you on your eye surgery.
Author
Word of mouth is the best advertisement an author can bet, Carol, as you well know from being a writer yourself. Thanks so much for giving my stories a try and for sharing about them to your reading friends. You’re the best.
I read Angel Sister again last month along with the two others in the series.All three were excellent books.I love all of your books and have a shelf full of them. Keep writing and I will keep reading. Good luck with the cataract surgery, I am going to have it done also.Prayers to you.
Author
The surgery wasn’t too bad, Donna. I don’t think I rested enough in the first few days, but I had company here. They helped do a lot but I’m one of those people who seems to think I have to keep my finger in the pie.
And how neat that you read the stories again. So appreciated. I’m glad you enjoyed going to Rosey Corner.
I LOVED Angel Sister!! I’ve since read Small Town Girl and LOVED it, too!! I’m currently reading Love Comes Home, and LOVING it, too!!! My oldest sister will be happy when she gets both of them from me to read!
Author
I saw your review on BookBub, Trudy, for Love Comes Home. Thank you so much for your kind words about the story and your enthusiastic thumbs up for the story. Reviews are so important to authors these days.
It’s so fun to share books with sisters.
Angel Sister, and the two books that continue the story, are my very favorites of yours. (Although, I love them all!). And, I agree that the Lord blessed you through them, as well as blessing their readers!
I had cataract surgery several years ago and still don’t need glasses for distance. Everything will heal up properly for you. Enjoy the enhanced colors you’ll be seeing!
Prayer is much better than worry, I agree! And, I love the rocking chair analogy! Thank you, Ann, for your lovely stories and your quiet, but steady way of sharing your faith!
Author
Thank you for reading my stories and my posts here too, Judi. I’m always glad to see your comments.
I think everything is going okay with my eyes, and I can see most things except regular print now without glasses.
I’m so glad you enjoyed visiting Rosey Corner. That has definitely been one of my nicest places to visit in my imaginatiion.
Author
Thanks, Judi. I appreciate your kind thoughts and you reading my stories. I reallyt enjoyed getting to know the Merritt sisters in these stories and all the other characters of Rosey Corner.
Angel Sister was either the first or second book of yours that I read and is one of my many favorites. I am still waiting for another book in that series. 🙂 My father-in-law is gone now but he also had the surgery on his eyes and didn’t need glasses any longer, but he had worn them for so many years too that he bought a pair of reading glasses to wear because he said he didn’t feel right without his glasses. I just picked up new glasses from my eye doctors last evening and am adjusting to the changes today. Hope your eyes heal quickly from both surgeries.
Author
I’m sort of like your father-in-law, Hope. I just don’t look right without glasses and I cay get some I can keep wearing so I don’t have to go into a stir hunting up reading glasses. I know many don’t mind that, but it’s been an aggravation for me. I suppose I might get used to it.
I’m so glad you enjoyed Angel Sister and many of my other books. You make me smile.
Dear Sister in Christ,
Thank you for this reminder not to worry! I pray our Father guides the surgeons hands to a successful outcome and that your healing is swift, may Jesus be praised, and the Godhead be glorified! May you experience His perfect peace through it all.
Author
What a thoughtful prayer for me, Cheryl. Thank you so much. The surgery was successful and the healing is moving right along.
All the best to you with cataract surgeries! I had worn glasses since 1st or 2nd grade, so almost 60 years. I was amazed! What a blessing to see! I absolutely need readers, and some adjustment for astigmatism so eventually got glasses. I’m now back to readers for a couple months, as the frame broke and waiting until insurance says it has been long enough.
Thank you for this wonderful article. I get so worked up about things. One thing I remember from 12-step groups, can be sung to a country tune – Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen…and most of them never happened.
Blessings!
Author
I have a niece, Jeannie, that got glasses when she was a youngster and how she started seeing things she’d never seen before such as the trees across the field. Everything had been such a blur for her in the distance. And one of my grandkids wasn’t doing well in school and they found out that was because she couldn’t see whatever the teacher was teaching. I could see okay when a kid but when I got to high school I always felt like my eyes were straining. Glasses are such a gift to help us see better, but it’s good to have surgery to improve your sight too.
Also, it’s true that many of the things we worry about don’t happen after we make ourselves sick thinking about the trouble we imagine heading our way.
Yes, I’ve read Angel Sister and really enjoyed it. Recently, I finished reading the sequel to that book — Small Town Girl — another delightful story!
I’m praying that your second cataract surgery will go well and that both of your eyes will heal quickly so that you can return to reading and writing.
And thank you for the reminder to pray and not worry!
Author
Thanks so much for reading my stories, Roberta. Very appreciated. Now you just need to make another trip to Rosey Corner to read the last Rosey Corner book. 🙂
Thanks too for your prayers. The surgeries went well. And I do need to get back to writing tomorrow!!
I had cataract surgery last year and can now actually see when I wake up. Before I always had to grab my glasses to be able to see clearly. It’s amazing isn’t it? I do need the glasses to read though.
Author
That’s what my son-in-law said, Ola. He used to really need glasses, but he had surgery to correct his visions. He asked me if I didn’t think it wonderful that the first thing I needed to do wasn’t hunting my glasses in order to see.
Hard to imagine anyone not liking Angel Sister… It’s a great book !
As for worrying, I’m like you, sometimes I snatch that worry back from leaving it in God’s hands, then I have to repent for that and give it back to him. He knows we are only human.
I hope tomorrow’s surgery goes well for you and that you have wonderful vision soon.
Author
You’ve been through some things that made for plenty of worry, Lisa. So glad you turned that over to the Lord and he brought you through those rough times. Also very glad that you read my stories.