When It Rains...

My goodness what a trying week! A blown motor, sloppy outdoor working conditions, too many events on the calendar... As I listen to what all my kids have going on in their life it exhausts me. Then, daily events in my own life get stirred up. All of a sudden my own calendar is too full. How in the world do we get it all accomplished? Suddenly my throat constricts, a tickle comes and the fountain from the nostril begins. Well, I didn't need that on top of everything else!

There was a time when overwhelming circumstances would stress my family to the brink of explosion. Pressure to get everything completed, carried out, marked off, would drive us to stressful lashing out at one another. Next, the situation would just get more out of whack and then finally, something would give and the dam would break. The gathering or event we'd looked forward to would not be enjoyable, and the tasks we deemed important turned out to not matter at all once they were complete. We had pushed the actual important things aside to complete the mundane only to realize that we missed a wonderful opportunity for something that would be there the next day. The next week even.

There is so much wisdom in the cliched term, "Don't sweat the small stuff". I could write a book on the "small stuff" that I've sweated that were quickly over taken by a "big stuff". On a daily basis I need to prioritize what the small battles in my life are and choose to deal with them in kind. I don't always make the right choice, but never fear, the big things don't get over shadowed. They always make themselves known.

Now days I choose to start my day with an extra hot cup of coffee, and a conversation with God. Thank goodness He is my coordinator. I just give Him my list, and He orchestrates my days...sometimes I wonder if He just throws my list over His shoulder and says, "Aw Honey, not today."

Trials, challenges and heartache come. Some days I want to crawl back in bed and start over later, but somehow I just keep moving forward. An amazing sunrise, or a hawk that refreshes my soul as it soars over-head may brighten my attitude. Maybe a photo will come across my digital frame that reminds me of why I have to keep going. Sometimes, just the fact that I am able to go at all is the motivation I need to persevere. Every day is different, but one thing stays the same, at the end of the day I can always give thanks that He's carried me through again. If I'm hurting, He heals. If I'm sad, He comforts. When I'm angry, He directs and when I'm joyful, He celebrates with me.

~Oh Father, how grateful I am to have you on my side. It's comforting to know that I don't have to have all the answers. I don't need to fix, finish, do everything. Sometimes it's okay to sit and rest. It's okay to be overwhelmed or frustrated, sad and even angry, as long as I don't stay there and make it worse. If I allow you to, you will always help me sort it all out. Please orchestrate this very busy day for me, I lay it at your feet. Thank you for what you're going to do, and for the way you always provide and bless. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

BACF Translation: Let go and let God! Give Him your list and follow His agenda. He makes it easy. He wants to help.