John Ortberg in The Life You've Always Wanted talks about 'hurry sickness." He says it is what keeps us from enjoying the things God is doing for us now, and what makes us fill our lives with things and activities that are perhaps not necessary. He describes the internal competition to make it through the grocery line first, or picking the "fastest" lane on our morning commute, trying to get ahead by seconds. As if it really matters...
I plead guilty.
Today, I ran a few errands after I dropped Bearded Brewer at the airport. I planned out my time so that I wouldn't have too many errands between the airport and the girls' afternoon fencing club. And it was fine. I didn't rush. The sunshine was bright, the trees lovely. It was a definite "WOW, GOD!" kind of day.
On my way back to my car after one errand, taking my time to enjoy the loveliness of a perfect fall day, I heard a man talking to his son.... "Hurry! Hurry up! We've got to get a soccer ball and then water bottles and ice and be at the field in 20 minutes. C'mon! Hurry!" The boy was trying to put on his shoes as his dad harangued him.
I cringed.
I knew I had done that at least once (OK, maybe 20 times) to my kids. It was never a banner day when I did it. In fact, it usually made things worse!
So, with a silent prayer for an easy afternoon for the father and son, I headed home. And then it hit me... I'm in my own "HURRY UP" mode with God. I have been asking God about what's ahead for me; I've been wondering about where I will end up in full-time service, and it is one that is over a year away. I look so far forward, I don't see today. And yet I long to know...
It's as if I'm saying, "Hurry! Hurry up God! I want to know where I'll be so that I can get done everything I need to do before I get there! Hurry up, God!"
And I cringe again.
So for today.... I will stop asking. I will start trusting in God's Providence, In God's ordained place. And I will enjoy the good gifts God pours into my lap... right now...
Good gifts like...
Tiria at rest... something I called "poured cat"...
Henry demonstrating contentment in a bean bag chair...
Polgara wearing a lampshade...
Are sent from Heaven above
So thank the Lord,
Oh thank the Lord for all His love...
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4 comments:
Thanks! I needed this.
You are in my prayers.
What Mary Beth said.
I love it...we're busy looking for God to "teach us your ways" and hoping for a textbook in the mail. Meanwhile, there are your teachers, right there.
I adored the phrase "poured cat"...
Yep.
I love it when I get so stressed that I have to "hurry up and pray" so I can get on with the day.
I feel like hitting my head like Homer Simpson and saying "Doh!" when I realize what I just did....
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