Fretting FionaRomans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Everyday the forest was filled with all kinds of activities! Animals and insects scurried to and fro going through each busy day. Some were gathering food and others were building homes.

An especially nervous fox by the name of Fiona rushed from place to place, barking excitedly. Many of the forest animals had gotten used to Fiona’s worried fretting and most of them stayed out of her way. She fretted and fidgeted most of the day always worrying about getting things done!

One sunny day Fiona was particularly fidgety. She raced around from spot to spot, often spinning in a circle excitedly. Other animals watched her movements, puzzled at her actions, but not one of them stopped to ask her what she was doing.

High above the forest floor, Beauty the butterfly made large circles, flying through branches in the trees. She was very happy and loved the peace that fell over the forest. She loved the Lord and sang His praises to everyone who would listen.

All of a sudden some strange movements caught Beauty’s eye. She looked below her at the forest floor. She was captivated by the frantic movements of a small animal below her. She floated downward so that she could get a closer look.

As she got closer to the forest floor, she recognized the animal as a fox. But not just any fox, it was Fiona. Beauty had heard many of her forest friends talk about Fiona. “Fiona is fidgety!” she remembered them saying. “She’s so nervous and frets all the time!”

Beauty watched Fiona for a few minutes. It didn’t take long to see that Fiona was far from peaceful. She was nervous, fidgety, and excited. As Beauty got closer to her she could hear a mumbling sound coming.“What will I do?” fretted Fiona. “I have no plan for the day and I just don’t know where to start! How will I get everything done?”

Fiona paced back and forth below a low branch that Beauty had landed on. She waited for Fiona to take a breath and stop mumbling so that she could tell her hello.

After several minutes of patiently waiting, Beauty heard the mumbling stop. She knew she had only seconds before it would start again.“Hello there!” yelled Beauty. She wanted to be loud enough so that Fiona could hear her.Fiona glanced up, looking for the source of the greeting. She finally spotted Beauty on the branch above her.“Um. . . hello,” said Fiona slowly.

Beauty introduced herself, “my name is Beauty. And I’m guessing that your name is Fiona”Fiona looked a little surprised as she nodded her head.“How do you know my name?” asked Fiona.Beauty did not tell her that she was known in the forest for her nervous fidgeting. She did not want to hurt Fiona’s feelings.Beauty lifted off of the branch and flew closer to Fiona. “We know some of the same forest friends,” answered Beauty. She always told the truth.

Fiona nodded, then began pacing again, back and forth, mumbling about there being so much to do and no time to do it.Beauty watched for just a moment, then asked, “why are you so worried?”Fiona looked right at Beauty and said, “if I don’t worry, then I won’t get anything done!”“So worrying helps you get things done?” Beauty asked.

“Well, of course it does!” exclaimed Fiona. “When I spend time worrying, then I can rush through all of the things I need to do! I normally can get almost halfway through my list before I get tired.”“Halfway?” asked Beauty. “Don’t you want to get through the whole list before you get tired?”

“Oh I’d love to, but it’s just not part of the plan, I guess” said Fiona sadly.“Would you like to know how to get through your WHOLE list and not be tired?” asked Beauty. She knew that she could help Fiona with the Lord’s Word.

“Is that even possible?” Fiona asked. She didn’t really believe that it was, but she was just curious enough to ask.“With God all things are possible. If . . .” said Beauty.“If what?” asked Fiona, her eyes widening just a little. She felt a little excitement rise up in her.“If . . .you . . . believe!” shouted Beauty. She just loved to talk to her forest friends about the Lord.

Fiona pressed her lips together. “Believe what?” she asked. She was a little disappointed.“Believe that what the Lord says is true,” Beauty said smiling.“You mean the Lord says things about worrying?” asked Fiona.“Oh yes, He does!” exclaimed Beauty. “We are not supposed to do it. We are to cast all of our cares on Him. He can handle them so much better than we can!”

“Why would He want to take all of my cares?” asked Fiona with surprise.“Because He cares for you and He wants you to be in perfect peace. That means no more fretting, no more fidgeting, no more flipping out!” said Beauty. “Isaiah 26:3 says ‘You (God) will keep him (Fiona) in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.’”

Fiona looked right into Beauty’s eyes. “What does is mean to have your ‘mind stayed on Him?’”“It means you are looking at the right things. You are keeping your eyes on the Lord and His goodness and not on the things around you that keep you fretting!” explained Beauty.

“But how will I get anything done if I don’t fret?” asked Fiona.“Well, Fiona, all of the time you spend fretting and fidgeting could be used to get quiet and focus on the Lord. He will tell you how to get things done! He will show you what is important and what isn’t. And He will give you a peace that surpasses all understanding.”

Fiona sat right down on the forest floor as if she had no more strength. She looked at Beauty and was suddenly so tired of fretting and fidgeting. She really wanted peace in her life. Could it be that easy?“Beauty, I really want to believe that the Lord can give me peace in my life. I really want to stop all of this crazy fretting. It has gotten me nowhere!”

“That is wonderful, Fiona” shouted Beauty! “Keep your eyes on the Lord every time you want to fret or worry about something. Get real quiet and He will tell you exactly how to handle every situation!”Fiona nodded her head excitedly. “I will start listening to the Lord and looking at the right things right away! I want perfect peace in my life!”Beauty landed on Fiona’s nose and looked her right in the eyes. “I pray that the peace of our Lord fills your life!”

Beauty and Fiona both thanked the Lord for His peace and love. Beauty knew that Fiona’s life would never be the same. Her mind had been renewed as she looked toward the Lord for peace. The fretting and fidgeting were gone. She was on her way to being transformed!