Overwhelmed!

Boxes are piling up in hallway and bedrooms. Rugs rolled up. Piles being made for give-away or sale. Our friend, Susan Jones, and I packed quite a few boxes this week. We also took several bags and a large garbage-size bag of linens to Cityteam in hopes others can use what we no longer have room to store. With Don, we drove to our new residence twice, finalizing specifics with the contractor, picking up and ordering more supplies for our remodel. Meanwhile, Don switched out the old French doors and is re-framing the new ones in our current home. It’s been a busy week and I find myself dealing with a low-grade headache much of the time. My neck tightens up when I’m stressed, and both Don and I feel a bit overwhelmed.

But we are actually ahead of schedule for project completion and the next step of painting the new house. Reviewing ideas, choosing colors and appliances with Don is fun. We think a great deal alike, so decision-making is relatively easy. And we are deeply grateful for friends who are helping along the way – with preparing the yard and house for sale, with packing (more friends ahead for that too)!  What a blessing! But by evening I’m exhausted.

I’m glad God never gets weary or tired like I do … that He keeps faithfully working, remodeling my life, without collapsing at the end of the day!

We were reminded in our reading this morning to keep our focus on God, our strength, our wisdom, our peace. In Jesus Today, Sarah Young writes:

“Find rest in Me alone, dear one; your hope comes from Me. You have a restless mind. It skips and scampers about continually, rarely taking time to be still. Listen, and you will hear Me saying, ‘Come to Me.’ I am the only resting place for your mind that will truly satisfy and strengthen you. Take time–make time–to direct your thoughts to Me. Whisper My name and wait in My sacred Presence. You are on holy ground.”

“Then Moses said, ‘I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.’ So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and sad, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And (Moses) said, ‘Here I am.’ Then (God) said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.'” Exodus 3:3-5 (NKJV)

I’ve never read that scripture in quite the same way before. Moses saw the burning bush. He could have walked right past; but he didn’t; he turned aside to look, and that’s when God spoke to him. Would he not have heard God had he not stopped to pay special attention? How often do I not stop to rest, to wait on God, to hear Him, and thus miss what He wants to tell me, impress on my heart?

I needed this reminder today. I plan to keep my focus on Him today and trust that when I get overwhelmed, rushed, mind skitting hither and yon with my “to do” list, I will remember to stop and refocus on Him, the One who gives me hope and peace.

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5

Where do you need hope today? Can you stop and refocus, letting God take your burdens, clarify your mind and renew your soul, spirit and body? Have a blessed week, trusting in Him!