Trust in the Lord

Do you ever get to that point where life is just too much? The regular day in and day out has so many tasks on its own. Add to it extracurricular activities, family changes, job changes, sickness, special projects and hobbies and the next thing you know, life starts spilling over... If you are passionate about any of it, or if you are a worrier or a perfectionist, you may easily wear yourself out trying to keep up with it all so that nothing is left undone. You are not alone.

It is so easy for us to take scripture and think that we are doing the Godliest thing by trying to do it all and do our best at every bit of it. I mean after all, cleanliness is Godliness, right? And whatever we do, we should do it will ALL of our heart as if we are working for the Lord, right? We show love by helping others and Godly women [and men] aren't idle are they?

Well... maybe.

This last year has had me on overload as well. The more that things changed, the faster the pendulum of time seemed to pick up momentum. And for some reason the faster it went, the harder I tried to hang on. Until I felt caught between the throws of back and forth and could hold on no longer. The only solution in sight was to quit something. ...Several somethings actually. So I did!

I might touch on all of them another time but the next thing that I knew, I found myself in Target test driving lawn chairs. I am serious when I tell you that I opened every single one to make sure that the one that I bought was a good one. (I highly recommend this, by the way. That is, if you’re looking for lawn chairs.) 

Then I set a goal to stop for at least FIFTEEN minutes, THREE times a week on the way home, BEFORE picking up kids; just so that I could sit and practice waiting. (I mean it, no cell phone, no book and not even really praying. In fact, I try not to even think! I just sit and wait as if I've got all day and I enjoy the view!)

After all, the Bible says that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, right? You and I are not meant to be responsible for it all (or to be multi-task-aholics)! While I know that truth, I seem to find myself repeatedly caught up in the “hurry”. Never being bored. Never driving below the speed limit. Never waiting. Period. Everything feels so urgent.

Since I’ve started stopping with the lawn chair, I’ve caught some amazing skies and landscapes (although my smart phone doesn’t do it justice). But do you know what else? The “time out” is working. The “high emotion” is taming. I am able to see a little more clearly. Allowing myself to pause even when there is no real time to do it, is building a deeper pause within.

I’m sure that having such an obvious physical reminder (like a lawn chair) might seem showy or weird. But if you look at our examples in the Bible, Moredecai wore sackcloth and ashes; Jacob built an altar; Joshua laid stones. In fact, even in communion, we partake in bread and wine as a physical acknowledgement of a spiritual change or reminder. Because you and I need that reminder, lest we forget again.

I need to practice sitting in that chair to remind me that I should be letting things go elsewhere too! While I practice sitting longer and how to apply this in every area of my life not just on the side of the road for a few minutes; I am seeing an immediate improvement!

There is a little verse in Proverbs 16:3 that says “Commit to the in the Lord and HE will establish your plans.” The more we run with the plan or list, the more that plan seems to grow. Allowing yourself to stop and sit, displays a trust that the Lord is capable of helping you work this thing out! 

Re-read that last line again.

I didn’t catch that tidbit until I was willing to wait! "Allowing yourself to stop and sit, displays a trust that the Lord is capable of helping you work this thing out!" If that's not convicting enough, consider how that might affect your worship. Sometimes being willing to let go and let God be the one who handles it, might very well be the best form of worship that we can offer. That list or circumstance that is consuming you is not meant to get all of your words and thoughts and attention. BAM! Right?

Your welcome! haha.

Oh and as it turns out "Cleanliness being Godliness" isn't even in the bible... Whew!!!

Have a beautiful day giving it to God this morning! 

~~~~~

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and HE will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6