More and More!

Have you ever just wanted to just throw your arms up—you know give up and quit???

Life can be hard sometimes.  I realized these last few weeks that something or maybe someone or some-thought has been tugging on my heart-my to do list-my brain…

My to do list keeps growing with cares and concerns and God keeps bringing me assignments all the while growing me and allowing me to partake in some awesome new experiences.  In the busyness of the moment I am tempted to say things like, “I can’t do this,”  “This is too hard,” “I’m not cut out for this,” “I want to stop-quit-return to a quiet life.” 

As I realize my nature, my true self prone to run away from what God has for me at times, I see my little boy all this week determined more and more to walk; more and more to get up after each fall, more and more to throw his hands up in surrender and thus smiling more and more. 

This all reminds me of my new nature-my new self being renewed because of Christ…more and more. (Col 3:10)

When Jesus has the wheel of our locomotive—it is a wild ride!  God has been showing me recently what it looks like to have peace like a river (Isaiah 66:12). 

We had some family photos taken this weekend and I had some time to just pause and stare at some fast-flowing water falling down a small bed of rocks.  I recognized my energetic toddler was mesmerized for a moment with the flowing water and we both paused. 

For a moment—every care from the week behind and the week ahead dissipated in the rushing water and I knew Jesus was close—I felt His Presence and His Peace.   

His peace He gives us—even amidst the chaos of this life. 

If I look at my to do list this week, I sense my heart begin to race a little bit.  Can any one else relate?

Something in me is nudging me to cry out His name…Jesus is here and will help me.

I think I am going to go run into my closet where no one else can see me and just throw up my arms in sweet surrender. 

Go on…you do the same.  Let’s enjoy this ride of life, no matter how hard it is—no matter how scary and fast flowing the rapids become—Let’s live determined to enjoy this life and smile more and more!

In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you.

(Col 3:10 NLT)