Just Stop It

 So for the last couple of days, my heart has been troubled at my to-do list.  It seems so silly, but I just want to get caught up!  I have things that still need hung on my walls since moving.  And it's not really a matter of just hanging them on the walls, because that part is easy.  But I am super indecisive and put way too much thought into things like this.  I have some pieces of furniture I'm working on painting, I'm trying to get really organized in areas, and of course I have the continuous cleaning, keeping up with homework, taking care of children, etc.

This morning I dropped the kids off at school, and even though I had the day off, I was inwardly getting flustered over all that needed to be accomplished.  And the Holy Spirit just seemed to say, "Stop it. Just stop it.  You are getting overwhelmed by too many things.  You need to go home, forget about your "to-do" list, and spend time with Me.  Some real time of just resting at My feet.  Nothing quick or rushed.  I will calm your troubled heart and put your mind at ease."  So that's what I did.  I came straight home, got my Bible, my little devotional journal, my coffee, and sat down.  I first began praying.  Praying for others.  Praying for my children.  Praying for God to use my life.  And the tears just flowed, and the peace came.  His presence was known and felt. 

Here is the encouraging part.  I've been asking God to show me a way that I can be used of Him.  Through our church's summer sermon series, we have been talking about Joseph and how God never wastes a hurt.  I want my life to bring glory to Him.  But today, I prayed, "God, how can I be used of you TODAY?"  After my sweet time with the Lord, I opened my Bible to sermon notes from the bulletin 2 weeks ago.  I read over it, and I immediately knew who I was to share these verses and notes with. Of course, I started crying..because God was answering my prayer so soon and so directly.  This was one way He was going to use me today.  I shared the notes, and it's in the Lord's hands. 

I continued on and read John 15:4-17.  After you read this, go on over and read this passage from God's Word!  "Abide in me, as I also abide in you....Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."  If I'm going to accomplish anything important in life, I must abide in Him..to stay with Him, to dwell with Him, to spend time with Him, talk with Him, know Him, follow Him. 

Spending time with Him certainly puts things in perspective.  My very human heart was overwhelmed by very minimal things.  He sets my priorities straight.  I'm now going to go work on painting and hopefully figuring out where to hang some more things, but I'm walking into it with peace.  He will give me the strength and peace to accomplish what I need to accomplish, with my focus first on Him.  Thank you, God, for sitting me down today.