One day when I was feeling tangled up in anxious thoughts, I decided to go for a walk and pray. That’s a common strategy of mine, and a very effective one as it always helps calm my anxiety. As I walked, I laid certain fears and worries before God—the very same fears and worries I’d told Him about countless times. But this time, as I prayed, a story grew in my imagination. I saw a giant knot of yarn, multicolored and impossible to comprehend. A knot I could spend my whole life trying to untie. I saw myself working at that knot and believing that if I just stayed after it a little longer, or went a little deeper into the mess, eventually I would make order out of the chaos.

“The more work I did, the more tangled up I became.”

But that’s not what happened. The more work I did, the more tangled and tied up I became. The knot was too big for me. It was a powerful picture, and true to what I’ve experienced many times when I refuse to trust God with things I don’t, and perhaps can’t, understand. There are so many things like that! So many questions that only lead to more questions. And it’s okay to ask and ask but…

The Bible says we are to cast all our worries on The Lord because He cares for us. It says we should trust in Him with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding. And God promises that when we trust Him He will give us peace. How often I refuse to trust and go on worrying instead! And still He offers me hope.

“Lucilla and the Snarly Skein is my story. It’s my story over and over again.”

Sometimes God rescues me from hard circumstances and sometimes He walks with me through them. Sometimes He gives me the answers to questions I’m asking and sometimes He calls me to trust Him because He is trustworthy and He knows all the answers.

Lucilla and the Snarly Skein is my story. It’s my story over and over again. I’m so thankful God knows all things. Nothing is lost to Him. He sees everything and He can redeem anything and anyone.

For young children, this is mostly a story about a girl who gets tangled in a knot of yarn (a snarly skein) and is rescued by a mysterious black rabbit and a noble squirrel. But for anyone (child or adult) who battles anxiety or depression, this is a story of hope when you’re feeling hopeless. And it’s a reminder of God’s promise to give you peace when you trust Him, even with really big messy problems and circling, anxious thoughts.

~ Amy

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“Lucilla And The Snarly Skein”