I know I’m not the only one who screams out…WAIT!...STOP!...HOLD ON!
My gosh, it’s already April!
And I’m surprised?!
It comes the same time every year!
It just seems that it came earlier this time and May is just around the corner. As a teacher, I look forward to May because the end of school is just in sight. But as a music teacher, I have a little different perspective. “Just a few more weeks please, I need a little more time.” You see, it’s performance season for me and time is so limited.
But it’s not just the education venue. No. The rat race of life spins and spins and is a respecter of no one. Come on. I know you feel it too because I hear it everywhere I go….and these days I go a lot! Event after event, meetings, be here, be there, do that, answer that, get here, get there, did I pay that?, what’s due?, what’s next? Where did I put that? Where’s my keys? Purse? Phone? What materials do I need for this? Am I forgetting anything? What’s for supper…cook or eat out?
My gosh, it’s already April!
And I’m surprised?!
It comes the same time every year!
It just seems that it came earlier this time and May is just around the corner. As a teacher, I look forward to May because the end of school is just in sight. But as a music teacher, I have a little different perspective. “Just a few more weeks please, I need a little more time.” You see, it’s performance season for me and time is so limited.
But it’s not just the education venue. No. The rat race of life spins and spins and is a respecter of no one. Come on. I know you feel it too because I hear it everywhere I go….and these days I go a lot! Event after event, meetings, be here, be there, do that, answer that, get here, get there, did I pay that?, what’s due?, what’s next? Where did I put that? Where’s my keys? Purse? Phone? What materials do I need for this? Am I forgetting anything? What’s for supper…cook or eat out?
Sound Familiar?
| As I look at my three different calendars I realize that I haven’t had a chance to merge them into one. A sure cause for calamity! | The clocks minute hand seems to be ticking a much quicker steady beat these days as I wonder, “Where has the time gone!” Things move so fast. It is as a blur. | Meetings are called, and then called again…only to meet about meeting again! (sounds like the lyrics of a song to me) |
The phone constantly rings, dings, and vibrates trying to get my attention. My email blows up with literally 50+ emails before 3pm. Perhaps that’s the doom of having so many accounts for so many different things. Everything tries to steal my attention. And everyone needs a piece of me! Why, even this morning, my alarm clock decided to turn on…by itself…quite unusual because I never set an alarm clock! My internal clock is quite sufficient. Plus, Brian’s employees notify him every morning (very early) when they are headed off to their jobs. So, we get “dinged” Monday – Friday. I’ve learned to ignore it unless I need to arise extra early!
The cry for “coming apart before I come apart” seems to be resonating louder every day. The last few nights, it has haunted my dreams. I dream of rushing to get somewhere. Last night, I dreamed that the driver of the car I was riding in couldn’t wait to pull out of the parking lot while I was trying to get in and close the car door. I kept screaming…Wait! Stop! Wait…give me time….You’re gonna rip off my foot! Yep, a nightmare!
The cry for “coming apart before I come apart” seems to be resonating louder every day. The last few nights, it has haunted my dreams. I dream of rushing to get somewhere. Last night, I dreamed that the driver of the car I was riding in couldn’t wait to pull out of the parking lot while I was trying to get in and close the car door. I kept screaming…Wait! Stop! Wait…give me time….You’re gonna rip off my foot! Yep, a nightmare!
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I share these things because I know that you can empathize with me. Mine may be a little more vivid but I’m no different than you except that maybe I have a few more various irons in the fire. But deep within, we all yearn for
quiet….peace…..silence...calm….beauty….relaxation!
I was a little distraught this morning by my dream because it was interrupting a quiet moment that I believe the Lord was using to help me write this blog. I guess I’m so busy during the day, He has to speak while I’m at rest….sleeping. The Lord often awakens me with things He needs to tell me.
quiet….peace…..silence...calm….beauty….relaxation!
I was a little distraught this morning by my dream because it was interrupting a quiet moment that I believe the Lord was using to help me write this blog. I guess I’m so busy during the day, He has to speak while I’m at rest….sleeping. The Lord often awakens me with things He needs to tell me.
How long has it been since you have really taken time to stop?
A dear friend once warned me about filling the margins of my life. It doesn’t leave time or space for unexpected moments of delight or rest. She said, as an example, to read a paragraph with no punctuation marks. Without taking time to pause, everything runs together and looses meaning. I think life is the same way.
Taking moments in life for “pause” is not a new idea, and we all know the value and importance it plays in our life. Still, many of us have not disciplined ourselves of this necessity! How long has it been since you have heard the sound of silence? Be still before Him. Let Him quiet you by His love. Zeph. 3:17
A dear friend once warned me about filling the margins of my life. It doesn’t leave time or space for unexpected moments of delight or rest. She said, as an example, to read a paragraph with no punctuation marks. Without taking time to pause, everything runs together and looses meaning. I think life is the same way.
Taking moments in life for “pause” is not a new idea, and we all know the value and importance it plays in our life. Still, many of us have not disciplined ourselves of this necessity! How long has it been since you have heard the sound of silence? Be still before Him. Let Him quiet you by His love. Zeph. 3:17
| Why do you think Jesus said to go into your closet to pray? Matthew 6:6 I think it is to help us stay focused and eliminate distractions. He wants to commune with all of me…to have my undivided attention. | Why do you think Moses went unto the mountain for 40 days? Deut. 10:10 and Ex. 34:28 I believe it was to get away from the distractions of the world and hear from God. | Even Jesus took himself away. All for preparation to fulfill the Father’s will. Luke 22: 39-46 and Matthew 4:1-11 |
As I am writing this morning, I have to look back and laugh. Kathy and I have started this Restore ministry and one would think that we both should “have it together”…or at least one of us! Well, that’s not the case…sorry to burst your bubble! Her calendar is just as full and she is just as exhausted. We have both cried out, “How can we help others be restored when we struggle ourselves?” I think that’s why God has allowed us to do what we do for you. It is because we truly understand and struggle with pulling away as much as you do. Do not put us on a pedestal, we will be sure to disappoint you. Our passion is to help you take the time and realize the importance of spending time with our Father. He keeps putting me in the place of needing time with Him over and over again. My discipline is weak. Sure, I talk with Him each day, and seek His guidance, but I believe there is more to it than that. He calls us to enter into His presence with singing (Ps.100:2) and He also calls us to keep silent before Him. (Hab. 2:20) He wants to do a deep work in our heart.
This week, I ask you to do three things:
- Take time to SHUT IT DOWN! You might need to take a technology fast! I did that for a few hours the other day and WOW! You will have to experience it for yourself! I can’t say enough about how freeing it was for me.
- Take time to visit with God. I mean, really visit and meditate on His word! Sit in silence before Him. If you find yourself getting distracted, write down your distraction. There will come a point when all distractions depart. If you need something to get you started, I recommend that you sit under a tree and read and meditate on Psalm 1.
- Take a moment to pray for Kathy and I as we attempt to pull away together to seek Gods will and direction for Restore (our time together is very limited). We both feel Him moving us toward a direction but need more clarity and conformation. We want to better serve our Lord and in doing so, serve you more creatively and passionately.
I realize that this is not my typical style of writing to you and I am not ranting. Well…maybe a little! There is no original “spiritual insight.” You know what to do and you know its importance and value. This one thing I can say is, “things will keep going, it’s okay to take time to stop!” In the course of eternity, what is most important? Try to do that!
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16 NASB
I hope you understand that I am being open and speak with an honest heart. We all sometimes need reminding to stop and get our priorities in check! It seems like a daily event for me!
Intentionally Taking Some Time...for me, the Lord, and to better serve you.
With a heart of love,
Sherry
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16 NASB
I hope you understand that I am being open and speak with an honest heart. We all sometimes need reminding to stop and get our priorities in check! It seems like a daily event for me!
Intentionally Taking Some Time...for me, the Lord, and to better serve you.
With a heart of love,
Sherry
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