Phoebe’s feet were wrinkled by water. She wore her snowboots all day. Water proof boots don’t let the water in, but neither do they let the sweat out. So her socks were soaked. I suggested wearing different shoes or changing socks when she got home. We did not want athletes foot or some fungus to grow…

… a few minutes later Meg was asked why I told Phoebe her feet were going to fall off. That was not what I said, but Phoebe was crying… so I was the one in trouble – especially when Phoebe couldn’t go to sleep.

It is difficult to convince a sleepy kindergartner her feet will not fall off. I found sitting next to her was better than any attempts to explain anti-fungal cream. As she drifted off I pondered worrying.

I do not worry about my feet falling off. But many of my fears are just as irrational. They don’t start out that way. They begin as I worry about a task. I need to do A. But what happens if I don’t or I can’t? Then B will happen! And if B happens, that could lead to C. And if C occurs… well I better start saving for unemployment…

Yet C never happens – my feet never fall off. Don’t get me wrong, I have encountered C before, but it did not arrive A, B, C. Instead G or L lead to C – something not even on my radar caused the crisis.

Christ tell us, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Mt 6:34). There is no point in playing what-ifs. Getting the kids to sleep is enough trouble.