Time Out

Today has been one of those days. Everything started off well and then things started going downhill. Life comes with these days whether we like them or not. It's all in how we take them. I guess I have learned to look at it this way, no matter what happens, the best thing that could ever happen already did and nothing can change that. I met Jesus and since then I have not had to face the world alone.
I know I recently talked about distractions and how the enemy loves for us to get caught up in everything except what God wants us to be caught up in. Satan is the author of confusion and doubt.
I'm glad Jesus was there today when everything went downhill. I wanted to throw my hands up and quit. I found myself crying and feeling like a failure. I made a stupid mistake, one unfortunately I have made before.
I caught myself as I began to think...you fool, who are you kidding...you can't even handle the small things in life...give it up...your house is a wreck...you worked too much today...you can't even stick to a schedule...and you want to do more...what?
I had to just flip the switch, change the channel and tune in to the truth. God is changing me from the inside out, He gives me grace when I need it, God accepts me just as I am, I am making progress, nothing can separate me from His love. God will take all things and work them out as I seek His will and purpose.
Tonight I had to just take a time out...Forget the day and just refocus. I turned on spa music and took a hot shower and just slowed down for a bit.
Time outs are important and on a day like today I needed one.
I put my kids in time out when they are acting out...mom's need time outs too sometimes.
If we don't purposely take time to refill and recharge we burn out. I was in the store today and I overheard a conversation. One lady said I am just running myself crazy, and the other lady said I know all about it. Life will be busy at times but there is no need to let it drive us crazy.
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
There is nothing wrong with being busy, but what or whom are we being busy for?
We have to seek God with everything we have, our thoughts, our plans, our emotions, our actions, and our reactions.
Our family has been undergoing some changes this year and we are learning to let go of the drawing board and trust the plan as it is revealed. I make such a mess of things when I try to plan out my life.
Just today while driving I thought of that scripture Matthew 6:25-34 25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
And I thought a little deeper. You know how we might charge something at the store, or even a car payment, their is no guarantee we will be around to pay the debt we make. I kind of felt like God was saying you can plan it out all you want, but don't get carried away, how many people do you think plan there whole life out and one day something unexpected happens. It important to take care of and plan wisely with everything we have been given because first of all we don't own anything. We are temporary owners. It is not coming with us despite what some may think.
My brother and his wife are working to simplify their life and possessions. How freeing it is to let go of those things that bury us and weigh us down. God is waiting for us when we cry out, He is there helping us to cross the finish line.
Tonight I am dreaming big of crossing the finish line. I'm limping and in pain today but safe in the arms of Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1-2
1THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
2Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.(A)

I close with this inspirational video a friend shared on facebook http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDgVske63cY