What is your thing today?

More specifically, what is occupying your mind’s space?

Are you able to keep it clear for God to speak about today?

Do you find it unsettling to have a quiet space between your ears?

Why do we get anxious when we become still?

Are there pangs of guilt or fear that rush in wanting to tell you it’s not OKAY to just be?

Do you feel you’re not being responsible when this happens? Why?

I grew up in an atmosphere where non-movement was frowned upon for the most part. If there was work to be done, and there was always work to be done when you had 5 acres of animals; my Doberman, horses with babies, rescued calves dad would bring home from the feed store, hens(one of them started crowing, so we learned she was a he yet kept his name Esmeralda) and the random mean goose. I worked and went to college but that didn’t matter, when I was home things needed to be done. Peace and quiet were strangers to me, it felt uncomfortable if I wasn’t running around, whether in my mind or literally. Can any of you relate? I recall a specific memory where my brother and I were dropped off by our parents at a laundromat with so many loads of clothes it required us to stay all day there, on a Saturday no less(I don’t know if our washer and dryer weren’t working at the time or what). Mom and dad were realtors and also ran an office full of agents. Not only did they sell and manage, they also taught real estate classes in the evenings, that was a piece of my corner of the world. Please don’t get me wrong, I look back on those years with gratitude and appreciation, for all of it. As a matter of fact, that moment in time at that laundromat became one of my fondest memories. Brother and I made the best of it, we were pretty good at it too. We sang songs, made up some of our own, learned a few dance steps, on what could have been a very sad Saturday, we had a blast. Those moments, and others like it brought my brother and I close. God knew we would need that in our adult years, He planned it all. I continue to thank the Lord for my childhood and young adult life, it made me who I am today; one who is not afraid of hard work and getting my hands dirty when necessary. With that though, I grew up not fully understanding the fullness, joy, and peace I now fight so desperately for, simply sitting with Jesus and letting Him work on my behalf while I rest in His presence.

Friends, I digress back to the point; It’s not the thing that is keeping you busy, it’s the reason behind the thing that’s doing it. It may be the habit you formed from your childhood, or the fear of facing something that seems too insurmountable to overcome, all of these patterns are subject to change with God’s help. Place Him ahead of that thing, and see what He can do!

Thank you Lord for all my years, my family, and for your words today.

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