How many times have we said this?
This morning it came home to roost over my house- I was responsible for taking Clara to school, she was on time, I was not… and we both paid for it.
It always amazes me how I feel once I’m on the other side of the “hurry up” moment. Mission accomplished! There’s this sigh of relief and a wave of calm down deep. This morning was no different-it was a cool morning and I opened the windows in the car, turned off the radio, and just drove like I had nothing better to do-such peace and amazingly quiet. That adjusted my whole morning. What’s more amazing, I got several things done I had no idea I would be able to get done after I returned to the house- and that was with my little helper-Connor.
We live in the world of now. Communication is instantaneous. Travel seems to be at light speed, ‘need it yesterday’ has become a litany for some. Information and references are only a click away. We are constantly bombarded with quick, short, efficient, fast-acting, momentary, lightning speed and “works in only… seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks… ‘”products.
When I think about hurrying, things begin to blur, my head starts to spin and the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland starts talking to me: “ I’m late, I’m late for a very important date.” He always was in a rush to some other where. And then there’s Mr. McFeely, from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, shouting: “Speedy Delivery!”
Ever want to throw open the front door and yell “Stop, already!” to the world? But, who would be listening?
I could go on, but you get the point.
Slowing down.
Even writing it and saying it in my head seems to convey the reduction of speed.
But can we do it? I’d like to think so….
There will always be things beyond our ability to manage. Knowing that everyone is allotted the same amount of time does not help when you are pushed and pulled by the hurry monster. Manage what you can, let go of what you can’t and try not to look like you stuck your finger in a light socket when you arrive at the end of your day.
The world is not going to stop for us. We must find that place of stillness within. Think about that one thing that you could change, redesign, add or do without that would make your life a little less hurried, a little less stressed, and give you more rest. Then make that one small adjustment.
For me, it’s getting up 20 minutes earlier- agghhh – that’s my weak point- morning! As you can tell by the fact that Clara was tardy this morning because of me.
Oh, and there’s a little secret in there, too. I am so thankful for my friends who pray! My yesterday was a rough day and I did look like I had a light socket hairdo at the end of it. I asked them to pray and they did, as did I; and the rest and change of pace I’m seeing today is all to God’s Glory! He has ordered my day, Amen! I’m not perfect- still late for things and still get frazzled by the end of a long day, but the day is His.
We can “Be Still!” before the Lord and retreat into His Word. He hears the sincere prayer of our hearts, and He knows when we are hanging at the end of the rope after one of those days. Even a moment in His Time is worth so much more than a century in ours.
Words to ponder:
The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long,
and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12b