Lesson 355: “Catching Up"
This morning I overslept, stumped my toe on a footstool while trying to hurry through the house, discovered the hot-water-heater had mysteriously cooled the water instead of heating it so I had a “wake up call” when the water hit me. I jumped out of the tub and turned on the bathroom heater and hurriedly put on three layers of clothes over my shivering body only to have it dawn on me I had forgotten something highly important. Deodorant! Off with the layered tops, on with the sweet smelling stick, on with the tops and back on schedule. NOT! While blowing drying my hair I noticed a “field” of static electricity surrounding me and my hair was standing on end. Another forgotten necessity! Being anxious to escape the pounding pelts of tepid shower water I had skipped the conditioner so now not only was I having a bad hair day but also everything I touched (i.e. light switch) sent visible sparks toward me. By this time all the scurrying around had warmed me considerably but thought it better to step outside rather than chance electric shock by touching the heater switch. To counteract the freezing cold outside I let my chattering teeth keep time with my trembling hands as I attempted to gulp down hot coffee.
Just as I thought there was no hope for this to be a good day; scripture began to run through my mind. “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24). “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). “In quietness and trust is your strength” (Isa. 30:15). So I stopped! Let the dust (or static) settle so that I could tune in to the voice of our Shepherd who speaks directly to our hearts whenever we need to regroup. I realized that I could not get back the wasted moments of the morning but had to start from where I was and remember who is in control of every aspect of my life. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your request to God. And the peace that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
The moral to this story is that I had forgotten the main course of action to start my day, whether I am on time or running late. Pray! I must wake up with a prayer on my mind and get in tune with the Holy Spirit before I start my day. Because, after all, it is not my day but one the Lord has made especially for me and I must strive to not mess it up with “me” and thoughts of my life, what I will eat, about my body or what I will wear. “O, you of little faith” (Luke 12:22-28).