Life has just been happening at a rapid pace – at least that’s how it feels to me. From pandemic to civil unrest to a divisive political climate… Don’t you want to shout “Stop talking! No more talking!”?
Mask on. Mask off. Isolate. Don’t isolate. Conspiracy. No conspiracy. Enough already – I need time to think.
Kayaking – Weeki Wachee Springs
Last week, together with some friends, we gave ourselves permission to enjoy life – to separate from the crazies and experience nature. We went kayaking. We chose to laugh. We chose to leave behind the heaviness. Grateful for this pocket of time we embraced the moment… thank you Lord.
French Press Coffee Wins
So much has happened since then. Each incident is relatively uneventful by itself, but it was the rapid succession that has caused me to stop and reflect today. The last (at least I hope it is) of these is a 2nd degree burn on my arm. A freak accident. Apparently, I pushed down too hard on my French press coffee maker and scalding hot coffee shot out and singed the skin off a portion of my arm. What?
So very grateful for my friend Maria who took me to urgent care and prayed me through a very disconcerting, not to mention painful, experience. Accustomed to being there for others, I battled denial for some time. This could not be happening to me. Seriously?
Have you ever found yourself shocked at the choices you made – hoping that maybe it was all a bad dream? Have you then raced through a series of decisions hoping to remedy the situation only to encounter yet another challenge? A born problem solver I have charged through the events of the past two weeks, tackling one at a time. Until finally… have been forced to careen to a halt to nurse my wounds. Yes, it’s not just my arm, I’ve been feasting on slices of humble pie.
This morning in my quiet time with the Lord, I hear “Slow Down… Now.” He’s rung the school bell – it’s time to learn from all this. I imagine my Jesus asking, “How come it has taken you so long to get here?”
Slow Down… Now.
Slow Down? What does that look like? Permission to be still and to listen for God’s still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13) We’ve been given permission to be homebound – to separate from life as we know it. How have we invested this time?
I have slowed down several times these past few months but then… I hurry up again. Does God need my help? I think not. He asks for my obedience. He asks for my time at His feet – listening. His Word speaks to me this morning. I’m reminded that God uses even adverse circumstances as instruments to accomplish His purpose.
“For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].” Hebrews 12:11 (AMP)
I am willing to share my humble pie stories with you because God said so. We are in this life experience together. I pray my lessons learned will be the catalyst for anyone who needs to hear it… to slow down. I imagine Him asking, What part of I AM don’t you understand?
“Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God. I am the God above all the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth.” Psalm 46:10 (TPT)
Coach Maggie – Helping You Be You
Photo by Rainy Wong on Unsplash.
Maggie Sabatier-Smith
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