“”Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD ’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to GOD! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor GOD with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over…..” (Proverbs 3:5-12 MSG)

A few days ago, my niece graduated from high school. I don’t know who was more excited, Nina or my husband and I.

Our excitement was two-fold: 1) Nina did extremely well in high school and was awarded a full academic scholarship to Oberlin College in Ohio and 2) Nina was the third child that we had raised successfully into adulthood. We were excited! Nina, on the other hand, was experiencing both joy and anxiety. She was excited to be graduating with honors from high school, but apprehensive about her transition to Oberlin.

Have you ever felt that way about your future: excitement mixed with apprehension? I often do.

What helps me manage my emotions about new opportunities and my future time and time again is the wisdom found in Proverbs 3 quoted above. I don’t have to have everything figured out. As I trust God, He will direct me. As I commit to honoring God with my life, He will lead me every step of the way. I can release my future to God.

“Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3 NLT)

(A friend took the photo of my husband, myself, and my friend Germain Wilson celebrating with Nina on May 23, 2014. The amaryllis is currently blooming on my patio. Both photos were taken on my iPhone 5.)