Restore My Soul – Stop Striving

I am a control freak. Daily routines have been my constant for as long as I can remember. I want things to happen on my schedule and when they don’t I get very frustrated.

Working from home was something that I had avoided for many years and now it was exactly where God had placed me. My first activity on my to do list was to set up a new routine. My work hours would be 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. The quicker I set up a new schedule the quicker I would adjust to my new normal.

I have depended on routines and schedules for so long because they gave me a feeling of control and accomplishment. But beginning on day one, God was going to show me that my routines and schedules needed to go.

God’s message to me was: “Be Still. Stop striving and know that I Am God.”

In the first week of my new surroundings I experienced missed appointments, phone service delays and many schedule changes. Each one was an opportunity for me to choose my response. I could be mad all the time or I could look for the good in each change that would eventually help break my routine dependency.

One day I decided to vacuum my home at 11:00 am. This was so out of my normal routine that I felt like I was cheating on a time card. I should be sitting at my desk waiting for the phone to ring. I felt so guilty for doing my housework during work hours even though I didn’t have work to do.

God was showing me how my dependency on a routine had kept me so tightly wound that I could snap at any moment and that in following my ridged schedules, I often missed moments He had prepared just for me.

His plan was to show me that my dependency should only be on Him. When He sends a delay or interruption there is a purpose. Look for it!

Look for the good in a late appointment. Look for the good in a delay in traffic. Look for the good in not following a set routine that would have you miss out on what God has available on His schedule.

Let Him set the pace and guide the day. I can still prepare for roadblocks, but see them as a potential for something good. Shake up the routine! Vacuum at 11:00 am and don’t be so ridged. See all the good that’s hidden in the change.

I’m slowing learning to start my day by asking God, “What’s on our agenda today?” No two days are alike and although there are days that He provides plenty of work to be done, there are also days when I’m blessed to spend the entire day with Him, uninterrupted. What a gift!

My Prayer

Father, Thank you for opening my eyes to things that I need to change in my life. Routines have held me captive for so long and I greatly appreciate the way You have released me and shown me that Your agenda is much better. That you for busy days filled with things to do and thank you for quiet days spent in peaceful communion with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God!