Friday, November 28, 2008

Lord Willing And The Creek Don’t Rise

Have you ever heard the saying before "Lord willing and the creek don’t rise?" Here in Kentucky it is common to hear someone say that in addition to "I’ll see you tomorrow," or "I'll get that done,"....... For many folk, it simply means that barring any unforeseen complications I will see you tomorrow, I’ll take care it, I’ll do it, and so on. Yet for the Christian, it has a much sweeter meaning.

This morning as I was reading in the Book of James, I was reminded once again of God’s exhortation in Chapter 4 ~ verses 13-15. Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain. Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow, For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that.

Often times, I speak with a surety of what will take place tomorrow or the next day ~ but truly that is an impossibility ~ for ye know not what shall be on the morrow. When I was growing up I would get kind of agitated with folk who would often say "Lord willing" to a question I might ask. At that time I saw it as being noncommittal. Yet as I grew and matured and began to understand God’s Word I realized the importance of such a reply. Everything is in God’s hands. We do not know what today or tomorrow will bring. But Lord willing our lives will continue on and we will have more time on this earth to make a difference for Him. Lord willing, indeed.

7 Thoughts On The Matter:

Karin said...

This has been a favorite phrase of my parents that I've made my own. I use it all the time! I also don't do 'promises', mainly because I do not know if I will be able to keep them. It is all in the Lord's hands and there are definitely circumstances beyond my control.

susansspace said...

Yes, indeed, Cathryn! So true!
By the way, I like your new blog look!
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
We're still working on those leftovers (as I'm sure many others are doing, too!).
Blessings,
Susan

Abounding Treasures said...

This post has a lot of meaning to me because even when my children were younger, I used this verse often when they asked me if we could do something!

I wanted them to learn that everything was in the Lord's hands.

Have a blessed weekend with your loved ones!

Jessica said...

Yes! I was born in Michigan but was raised in Florida and never heard that saying until I met my husband here in South Carolina. My hubby's family says "If the good Lord's willin and the creek don't rise!" I spent some time in Booneville, Kentucky when I was a girl and do not remember hearing it. That might be because I was facinated with the outhouse! my stepfather's family lived on the side of a mountain. literally.
I loved the post. Blessings!

Jessica said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mara (Coffee with Mara) said...

awesome post!

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I also will say that I am planning on doing whatever, rather than saying I am doing it.