i don't know about you, but since school has started, my life has spun. out. of. control. with all the paperwork that needs signing (didn't I do that at the END of the year, so that I wouldn't have this problem again?), all the checks that need to be written (I thought my TAX dollars were paying for this), all the scheduling that needs to happen with 8 individuals and 8 separate yet overlapping lives. not only that, but I am leaving to shoot an out of town wedding. not only THAT, but i will be leaving 6 kids to get to school on their own for 2 days....i know they can do it, but as a mom......and, i was so reassured by one of my teens....she said "no offense mom, but you really don't do that much"....wow.
my head is spinning with all the to-dos....i am losing sleep over all the check lists...i hope {not pray} that I am not the only one and others know what that is like....
this morning....God called and said....come. sit with me a while...let me just hold you....let me tell you what to do today.....and of course, I started to tell HIM all that needed to be done and why I just didn't have time for a cup of coffee with Him....ah....
he brought this picture to mind....he said......sit....pretend you are at the beach, listening to the waves....drink your coffee and smell the ocean breeze....take a deep breath....breathe.....and rest in me.....I AM the way....I AM the truth....I AM the life.....trust me with all of it....
linked today with chatting at the sky, sweet shot tuesday, steady mom and so much shouting, so much laughter
Isaiah 30:15 in quietness and rest is your salvation.....
Our family recently went on a beach vacation. Along with the talks of watching out for sharks and jelly fish were the constant instructions and reminders of what to do if you get caught in a rip tide. Not a pleasant thought, but a necessary thing to do. We went over and over the fact that you may feel like you are drowning and you may feel the need to swim as hard as you can, in actuality, those things are not true and could bring further danger. I told the kids how to lay back and let the current take them out of the ripe tide and that the best thing to do is to relax and go with the waves until they were out of it and they could swim easily back to shore. Thankfully, we never have encountered a rip tide.
have you ever tried to be still? it is the ONLY way i can hear god. one of my favorite scriptures is about how god is not in the earthquake and he is not in the fire, but he is in the gentle whisper. I LOVE that....i expect god to speak loudly--and sometimes he does--but mostly, he speaks when i get still and press into him in my heart. we are on a family vacation right now and i am reminded of how much planning for and taking a vacation is like purposing to have time with him....we plan far ahead so that we have saved enough money, we have to make reservations far ahead so that we get a place large enough (that we can afford) to house all of us. I plan the food, shop, prepare the food, make sure everyone had a swimsuit--YIKES! Then there is the packing, loading and driving...making sure everyone has enough to keep them occupied for the 13+ hour trip to the gulf. once here, it is unpacking, cooking, keeping up with the laundry, keeping the kids safe, etc....so...if i allow this to consume me, I never get to be still and relax. it takes so much work for us to go on vacation--just as it takes work for me to have time to be still...i have to prepare...me, my family, the day...so many things can pull on me to keep me from it....the enemy knows how to attack in this area (as I am sure he knows your weak spots) :)....i know that when i have purposed to do this....take the time to prepare to have some quiet, still time with HIM, then HE is faithful to meet me....oh, he meets me in the chaos, too...but this is where he wants me....still and quiet...in my heart...when everything else is swirling around me...it just takes work...