Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Who's in Charge Here?

I awoke to Silas' foot in my ribs. (He slept with us AGAIN.) I gazed valiantly at the clock but my bleary eyes would not adjust.

After searching for and finding my glasses, I read "7:30am".

My foggy brain began immediately clicking through the details.

"Jeff--meeting at 10am...Kaylin watching the kids...clothes for the kids downstairs....must be brought up to their rooms...what items to add to the toy bag for the day...remember nap paraphenalia for Silas...forgot to buy lunchables...Whataburger for lunch...order things online...new homeschool curriculum or old?...lists for Alicia...article for bulletin...thank you notes...schedule for evening meal...Jeff should take the van..."

And on my brain tumbled.

Through my coffee, bagel, driving, errands, lunch and phone calls.
Projects, lists and priorities demanding to be processed and attended to.

4:00pm---I sat down to catch my breath, picked up His Message and found myself at these words whispering boldly into my busyness.

"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,"

"...but you would have none of it."

Um. Ouch.

"...Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion...."

"...Blessed are all who wait for him."

The tender boldness I've come to love and depend on. His Truth. Calling me to be still. Quiet. At rest.

As I slam on the brakes of my day I am reminded that it is,in fact, not all up to me.

I don't have to do it all. I just have to keep the list :-).

And daily offer that list up to the One, Who with one glance, sets every priority into place.

"Be still and know that I am God."

Oh. Yeah. That.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Okay.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

So, I face the evening ahead. Guarded. By his peace. Which at last quiets my mind and declares in the silence...

"I am God, precious one. I am God."

(scripture references from Isaiah 30:15,18 and Philippians 4:6-7)

4 comments:

Procters in MOJO land said...

Beautiful thoughts... I miss you much! Love you sister, Reese

Trisha said...

I was cleaning the kitchen after Elijah dumped an entire bag of Cheetos (not individual size--family size) on the floor this morning and happened across one of the scripture cards my mom gave me.

"A (wo)man's wisdom gives (her) patience; it is to (her) glory to overlook an offense." (Prov. 19:11) I love when God speaks in such clear ways. Oh, how He loves when we take time to listen!

Can't wait to see you, friend, and rest!!!

Steve Maxwell said...

God bless you for being the vessel for me to see His heeding to slow down. It has been crazy and Alasha and I both are in need of a "spritual slow down and be still and know". God bless you Cheryl.

Natalie said...

I found this post through google and just wanted to tell you what an encouragement it was to read. So refreshing to know I am not alone in my busyness and thirst for peace.Thanks for writing about it.
-A fellow busy mommy