Overwhelmed

So this morning, after rushing my boys out the door for an early morning swim practice,

I sat down with my Bible and my study (plus a not-quite-ready-to-greet-the-day furry friend),

and I opened up to Day 05 (I'm just getting started). Here's part of what I read:

"Many times I've gotten so discouraged by Satan,

my own weak flesh, or another opposing entity,

that I've finally resorted to speaking out loud the the truth of Scripture.

Audibly praying and reading Scripture is a wonderful discipline to employ,

especially when you are overwhelmed (p.28)."

Overwhelmed. Overwhelmed. Overwhelmed.

Hmmm. That one got me.

And here's why::

A few days ago, my bff sent me a few questions to answer.

You see, we're doing this study together (even though we're separated

by a couple hundred miles) with Beth Moore's summer group, and before starting,

we needed to answer a few simple questions. You know, the basic stuff

along with What do you want to get out of this study? AND, in a word,

describe this season of your life.

Immediately, I responded.... overwhelmed!

(and felt quite sure this was the BEST and most appropriate choice for now)

Why overwhelmed? Because that's what I am.

Even though it's summer, and

even though I'm supposed to be relaxing,

I'm not.

I'm stressing over my mile-long to-do list and the calendar that's racing by,

and I'm having trouble-- very real and heart-thumping trouble--

because I simply cannot see the forest for the trees.

Yes, I'm overwhelmed, and for many days now I've been lamenting that fact.

So back to this morning. I finished my lesson

and hopped out back for some garden time before my littlest two awaken

[with no rain over the past several weeks and temps reaching the mid-90s,

watering my gardens has turned into a non-negotiable daily chore],

and with my iPod attached to my hip (because I agreed with the author--

what I needed now was a ginormous dose of Scripture...

in my ear, to my heart, over and over and over again),

I set forth.

I toted jug after jug after jug of water,

and I enjoyed a few Holy Spirit-inspired dances along the way

(thankfully, we have a privacy fence :)

and then an old favorite came on and... BAM!

It stopped me, dead in my tracks.

Because the Lord had spoken.

Through these words-- through His Word--

I got the message, just as He intended.

Give me one pure and holy passion.

Give me one magnificent obsession.

Give me one glorious ambition for my life

To know and follow hard after You...

To know and follow hard after You

To grow as Your disciple in Your truth

This world is empty, pale, and poor

Compared to knowing You, my Lord

Lead me on and I will run after You

Lead me on and I will run after You

-- Mark Altrogge

How 'bout that?!!

Meant for me? Yes.

Today? Yes.

Did I listen? Yes.

And did I get it? Yes.

And then I thanked Him for His gracious reminders and changed my tune.

So... history plans? Yes, they're important.

Those 3000 pages on the 20th century in review? I'll try.

A new paint color in my bedroom? Sure, it would be nice.

Veggie and flower bed survival? Oh, I hope so.

New recipes and adventures and bread and more? Perhaps... and hopefully.

But when it's all said and done, what matters most?

How should I really spend my spare time, my energies, and my attentions?

And what do I want to teach my children, even during these lazy days of summer?

To know and follow hard after You,

and to grow as Your disciple in Your truth...

Lead me on, and I will run after you.

So today, I'm resubmitting my answer.

No longer overwhelmed.

Today, I'm set free.

Free to be faithful and obedient and grace-filled and more...

because He who started this good work in me will be faithful to complete it.

All I need do is follow.

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.

Psalm 27:4