Isaiah 26:3-4

How do you go from an amazing-peaceful week to a stressed-full of chaos one? Well let me tell you…because I just experienced it.

I believe summer is so desirable because we SLOW down…WAY DOWN! School is out, many activities take a break, and vacations are taken. Families spend more quality time together and you find less anxiety and a lot more smiles as a result. We LIVE in the moment and have time to soak in our surroundings and experience God’s beautiful creation. Then just as the waves kiss the shoreline goodbye, our summer has faded in a quick blink of an eye.

We got back from our trip on Saturday and the laundry piles started as we unpacked, the empty refrigerator had to be filled with a two hour visit to the grocery store, and my new job began bright and early on Monday morning. My feet haven’t hit the floor, and I am a mess.  What happened to my peace? This week, I have been more on edge than I normally am. I found myself snippy at my favorite people when they had done little to nothing wrong. Why? Why? Why? If you have found yourself in a similar place then this devotion may speak to you as loud as it did me:

Jesus Calling
August 5th

“Sit quietly in My PRESENCE while I bless you. Make your mind like a still pool of water, ready to receive whatever thoughts I drop into it. Rest in MY SUFFICIENCY, as you consider the challenges this day presents. Do not wear yourself out by worrying about whether you can cope with the pressures. Keep looking to Me and communicating with Me, as we walk through this day together.

Take time to rest by the wayside, for I am not in a hurry. A leisurely pace accomplishes more than hurried striving. When you rush, you forget who you are and WHOSE you are. Remember that you are royalty in My Kingdom.”

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” –Romans 8:16:17

I forgot who I was and to WHOM I belong! I don’t have to wear myself out and worry about keeping up with the pressures.  What a relief. This devotion came in His perfect timing. I love how He rescued me with these words to remind me to return to Him and be quiet and still in His presence. Monday was pure chaos…meeting so many new faces and having too many request to count and needs to be met with me not even knowing where to start. Tuesday was a little better, but Wednesday (Hump Day) things SLOWED back down! I took in the devotion and sat still with Him. He reminded me of the ways I stay in tune to Him throughout my day, and I incorporated them back into my routine. I turned my devotion calendar on my desk and read it first before even turning on my computer. I pulled up Pandora and put on my Christian Music to play in the background. I sang and hummed to many while I worked. When I found myself becoming stressed and needing help, I stopped and prayed and sought him in it. I stopped the hurried striving and I took my time. I accomplished ten times more than I did the day before. It’s hard to believe that by slowing down, you can accomplish MORE, but it’s true! I was more focused and in tune to what I was doing. God was with me and we accomplished so much together!

And then you guys…I came home and one of my precious new friend’s had dropped off dinner for my family! SERIOUSLY!!! The Lord poured out His blessings on us through this beautiful act of service and love. I was overwhelmed. I felt Him near again, just as near as I felt Him last week on the beach. Our God is an AWESOME God! He reigns from Heaven above! He is faithful to provide for His children. We are HIS! We belong to Him and if we trust Him, are still and present with Him, we will SEE Him and experience His AMAZING PEACE! I’m so grateful to have found it. Although the summer season fades and the pace picks up we can find our peace and balance through the help of our Lord and Savior. Have you found your peace? Do you have balance in your life? What do you need to add or take away to find it? Blessings on your search! #gloryup