Do you ever feel like you are one step behind where you need to be? This morning, my son had a special show-and-tell presentation about where he has lived in the past. I had great ideas about how I would make pictures of the places he has lived so far, including Guam, Colorado and Oklahoma. I was going to find beautiful pictures of Guam and print them for his class. As usual, I was very busy yesterday (and every day) and I forgot all about his presentation. This morning, on the way to school, I remembered that I was going to do that for him. At that moment, the busyness and frantic rush of my day began. My mind starting racing, not only about the fact that I had forgotten his special project, but also the dishes that lay unwashed in the sink, the floors that need to be swept and mopped, my daughter's tae kwon do class that was not on the schedule, but thrown in at the last minute. I started thinking about the papers for my work that need to be graded, and how the kids have a doctor's appointment this afternoon. I thought about the clothes that need to be washed and folded, and the finances that are always lacking. We have to pay the taxes and registration on our car ($1200) and I am not sure how we are going to come up with that extra money. They are already overdue and we are racking up penalties being added to the amount daily.
All at once, I felt extremely overwhelmed by life's responsibilities and pressures. I could not seem to quiet my mind. My heart started pounding from anxiety. There are about a million more things that I didn't even mention here on my mind right now. Am I doing something wrong? Am I just not as good at managing my time as others? Everyone around me seems to have everything lined out just right, THEIR houses are clean, THEIR kids get a great home-cooked dinner every night, THEIR kids do their homework and are prepared for special presentations, THEIR floors are clean, THEIR laundry is done all at the time.
There is great danger in this thinking. One of my greatest struggles in life has been feeling like a failure, and fear of becoming a failure. When I measure myself up to a standard of how everyone else seems to be doing in life (which is deception anyway), I often become overwhelmed, depressed and hopeless. I realized this morning that I needed to spend some time with Jesus. He is the One who quiets my soul, and calms the raging storms inside of me. He is the One that always gives me proper perspective and helps me to sort out all the craziness of my life. He shows me how to take all the chaos and organize it step-by-step. He helps me prioritize my day when I give the first part of it to Him alone.
So...this morning, I decided to turn on some Christian music in my car (after dropping off all three kids at school) and just let Jesus quiet my mind. I began to read my devotional on my IPhone, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. It was exactly what I needed to hear....when we are desperate and struggling to find peace and quiet, all we need is to spend time with Jesus. That was exactly how I was feeling anyway. Confirmation. I always talk to God like He is my best friend. It is my favorite way to pray...out loud, just telling God all my thoughts and the worries on my mind. Then I just get quiet and listen for His still small voice to speak back to me. Sometimes, it is a stirring in my soul, a thought that aligns with God's Word, a scripture, a song, or a friend who is sent to encourage me with just the right words (an answer to my prayer). Today, it was Jesus Calling and a plan that began to emerge in my mind.
I decided to take things one step at a time, just like God has told me many times in the past. If I look too far ahead in the future, I am always going to be overwhelmed and fear impending failure. It is just my nature, and the nature of many around me. That is the world's perspective, always focused on future success, future plans, future responsibilities and duties. It is just too much for me to handle by myself. God has told me to worry about one moment of one day at a time. He has encouraged me to cast all my cares upon Him, for HE cares for me. He takes care of my life and my every need, so I don't have to live with that worry and fear, and sense of always failing.
Today, I tried to print the pictures for my son's presentation and get it there before time for show-and-tell. Wouldn't you know it, my printer decided not to work! I had to save the pictures to a thumb drive and go all the way into town to Staples to make him a presentation. Every second that passed felt like an eternity and I just knew I wasn't going to make it in time. I kept hearing that still small voice telling me, "It's going to be OK. I have it all under control. My grace is sufficient for you."
I finally got the papers printed and rushed to my son's school. I came into the classroom breathing heavy from running. I asked, "Have you done the show-and-tell yet?" She calmly answered, "No...you made it in time." God knew I would.
Next...time to grade papers. As I sit now in the coffee shop with my laptop, I feel the peace of God in my heart again. No matter what today holds, and even if I get behind or fail again, GOD has it all under control and His grace (unmerited favor) is sufficient for me.
I hope you have a more peaceful and blessed day upon reading this good news. God loves you. He came to save you through His Son Jesus Christ, and He wants to re-prioritize your life with Him at the top of the list. His Word declares, "Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all the rest will be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33, NKJV).
Some Living Water to drink today:
All at once, I felt extremely overwhelmed by life's responsibilities and pressures. I could not seem to quiet my mind. My heart started pounding from anxiety. There are about a million more things that I didn't even mention here on my mind right now. Am I doing something wrong? Am I just not as good at managing my time as others? Everyone around me seems to have everything lined out just right, THEIR houses are clean, THEIR kids get a great home-cooked dinner every night, THEIR kids do their homework and are prepared for special presentations, THEIR floors are clean, THEIR laundry is done all at the time.
There is great danger in this thinking. One of my greatest struggles in life has been feeling like a failure, and fear of becoming a failure. When I measure myself up to a standard of how everyone else seems to be doing in life (which is deception anyway), I often become overwhelmed, depressed and hopeless. I realized this morning that I needed to spend some time with Jesus. He is the One who quiets my soul, and calms the raging storms inside of me. He is the One that always gives me proper perspective and helps me to sort out all the craziness of my life. He shows me how to take all the chaos and organize it step-by-step. He helps me prioritize my day when I give the first part of it to Him alone.
So...this morning, I decided to turn on some Christian music in my car (after dropping off all three kids at school) and just let Jesus quiet my mind. I began to read my devotional on my IPhone, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. It was exactly what I needed to hear....when we are desperate and struggling to find peace and quiet, all we need is to spend time with Jesus. That was exactly how I was feeling anyway. Confirmation. I always talk to God like He is my best friend. It is my favorite way to pray...out loud, just telling God all my thoughts and the worries on my mind. Then I just get quiet and listen for His still small voice to speak back to me. Sometimes, it is a stirring in my soul, a thought that aligns with God's Word, a scripture, a song, or a friend who is sent to encourage me with just the right words (an answer to my prayer). Today, it was Jesus Calling and a plan that began to emerge in my mind.
I decided to take things one step at a time, just like God has told me many times in the past. If I look too far ahead in the future, I am always going to be overwhelmed and fear impending failure. It is just my nature, and the nature of many around me. That is the world's perspective, always focused on future success, future plans, future responsibilities and duties. It is just too much for me to handle by myself. God has told me to worry about one moment of one day at a time. He has encouraged me to cast all my cares upon Him, for HE cares for me. He takes care of my life and my every need, so I don't have to live with that worry and fear, and sense of always failing.
Today, I tried to print the pictures for my son's presentation and get it there before time for show-and-tell. Wouldn't you know it, my printer decided not to work! I had to save the pictures to a thumb drive and go all the way into town to Staples to make him a presentation. Every second that passed felt like an eternity and I just knew I wasn't going to make it in time. I kept hearing that still small voice telling me, "It's going to be OK. I have it all under control. My grace is sufficient for you."
I finally got the papers printed and rushed to my son's school. I came into the classroom breathing heavy from running. I asked, "Have you done the show-and-tell yet?" She calmly answered, "No...you made it in time." God knew I would.
Next...time to grade papers. As I sit now in the coffee shop with my laptop, I feel the peace of God in my heart again. No matter what today holds, and even if I get behind or fail again, GOD has it all under control and His grace (unmerited favor) is sufficient for me.
I hope you have a more peaceful and blessed day upon reading this good news. God loves you. He came to save you through His Son Jesus Christ, and He wants to re-prioritize your life with Him at the top of the list. His Word declares, "Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all the rest will be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33, NKJV).
Some Living Water to drink today:
1 Peter 5:6-8
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because[a] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Matthew 6:33
New King James Version (NKJV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
2 Corinthians 12:9
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Isaiah 26:3
Philippians 4:19
2 Corinthians 12:9
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Isaiah 26:3
New King James Version (NKJV)
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
New King James Version (NKJV)
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Have a blessed day!
His beloved,
Sarah
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