The race is on! Breakfast, snacks, missing shoes, clean undies, vitamins, teeth brushed, homework checked, and papers signed. All in time to get out of the house and into the classroom. If you are homeschooling, you add in classroom schedules, set ups, assignments, etc. etc. etc. It’s a lot.
Once that is all done, you turn to the giant “to do” list staring at you and before you know it, it’s time for dinner, homework, sleep, and repeat. Somewhere in there, the Lord is calling, “Come to me and I will give you rest…”, but we can’t hear Him because the noise of “necessary now’s” calling out to us. Instead of rest, we exist in exhaustion.
What if you were to re-organize your to-do list so that your name is near the top of the prioritized bullet points. Time with the Lord; time to think, rest, and read (remember what that’s like?) Time with other women – praying, sharing, blessing one another. Do not settle for a text here, a social post there. Allow yourself to be ministered to with kind words and actions, minister to others, make genuine connections, and build beautiful relationships. Yes, it takes work. That’s why it’s on your “to do” list! This is God’s plan for a healthy soul, a connected heart, and abundant courage to walk through challenge.
It’s so very easy to think, “I had a great devotion yesterday. Went to Bible study this week.” But here and there is not enough to fight the current of anxiety that electrifies this world. Because anxiety likes to run with friends, it sneaks around in our souls looking for past hurt, worry, and anger to attach to. When we run without the wind of the Holy Spirit, we run in our own strength, and we are ultimately defeated. Instead of believing the best about life, the future of our kids, God’s favor on us, we give in to the whirling negative spirit around us.
So, what’s a woman to do? Pray. Pray again. Read the Word. Read it again. Connect with like-minded friends who love the Word and ways of the Lord. Seek the fruits of the Spirit over fitting in, getting invited to an event, or getting more followers. Instead, decide to Expect Amazing every day, regardless of what you see or hear. And maybe just turn it all of once in a while. Skip some TV, social media, and opinions. And just….
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things (what you are consumed with
having, knowing, controlling) will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
Jesus is always on the throne, 24/7 and into eternity, ready to hear your prayer, your groans, your hopes, dreams, and disappointments; your deepest needs and earnest wishes.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God,
“Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev 1:8
Satan, on the other hand, has no throne. He goes “to and fro” on the earth, “seeking whom he may destroy.” (1 Peter 5:8).
Yes, Satan is mighty, but our God is ALMIGHTY. (Mic drop.)
“Lord, you alone are worthy of praise. Forgive me for dwelling on what I cannot control, and for allowing the things of this world to dominate my spirit. Today I turn over control of my life, all those things I cannot control but continue to worry or be anxious about. Lord, help me to deeply love your will for my life, to release myself into it, without reservation. And, I will trust you, even if the sun doesn’t shine.”