It's 10:45 pm on Tuesday night. I should be in bed for my 5:30 a.m. wake up call.
The ballerina is in bed and has been for over an hour.
The bookworm is in the shower and heading to bed.
Hubby is doing some work on the basement computer.
I am listening to these words replay over and over in my head: (thus, this post!)
"and when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2b
I 've read this Psalm many times. I know most of the verses from memory.
But....this last part of verse 2 is just in my brain and has been for the whole evening.
WHY? Because the bookworm was in panic mode regarding college applications, teacher recommendation forms, high school transcript forms, student profile, essay questions, and French 5 homework on top of Physics, AP Calc and Creative Writing. I was getting in panic-mode just listening to her!
I was feeling guilty for not having a chance to chat with hubby except briefly at dinner and I was also feeling annoyed with the youngest for wanting my attention when she clearly saw her big sis needed my ear. (how DO you people with more than 2 children do this thing called parenthood anyways?)
I wanted to yell out "Take me away, Calgon!" (remember those bubble bath commercials??)
Rather, I helped put the ballerina to bed (she always needs several hugs, prayer, more hugs) and turned my attention to the drama of the high school senior. And that is when the words and tune (there's a worship song that goes with this psalm) started playing in my head.
Ah....what promise there is in that short phrase!!
He leads us to HIM! In my state of being overwhelmed with the beginning of a busy school year...and with all the paperwork my senior girl is bringing home from school...and with the start of leading/teaching a small group and all the things that entails....and with scheduling 3 dance classes a week, and home management tasks.....I am starting to get that "help!!" feeling.
And part of my pride has to die. Because I so often take on things that I could easily delegate to my husband or children. I tend to "take control" over things that I could just as easily let someone else complete. My oldest pointed this out to me. She said something like she feels I am not helping her enough with her prep for college and yet in the same breath she thinks I am trying to take charge....ah...the mood swings of teen girls! (um....ok....I don't wanna be a "helicopter parent" and we want to teach her to be independent.....so, now she wants help....) She clarified that yes, she has her own responsibilities in this whole college application process. What she has been missing is me meeting her love language (gifts and quality time).....my gift to her can be in helping her with this paper work. Now, some of it DOES need the parent's help....we had a whole section of questions to answer for her Senior Student Prospective. I just assumed she could do her part on her own. Until I discovered that she really does not like to "pump her self up" which is basically what some of these essays and high school paperwork is requiring. So...I had to take the time to show her how to "brag" about her accomplishments in a way that is pleasing to the Lord and not "too show-offy" and yet will capture just who she is and what her academic, social, and community/church accomplishments have been.
All during the time of feeling overwhelmed and ill-equipped.....
but...
this is where God nudged me to let Him lead me......
to that Place that is higher, and mightier than my human efforts....
to die to self.....to put aside my overwhelming feelings and let Him take them on to His shoulders.....
to role-model this for my daughter......
we made a plan of who is doing what tasks (my job is to make a check list of what each college needs and when, along with what the high school needs...this I can do!)
with God leading us, an instant Peace settled over my brain.......
"Lead me to a Rock that is higher than I"......
aren't you glad He is able??
I am reaching for that higher place this week.....what about you??
Ah....what promise there is in that short phrase!!
He leads us to HIM! In my state of being overwhelmed with the beginning of a busy school year...and with all the paperwork my senior girl is bringing home from school...and with the start of leading/teaching a small group and all the things that entails....and with scheduling 3 dance classes a week, and home management tasks.....I am starting to get that "help!!" feeling.
And part of my pride has to die. Because I so often take on things that I could easily delegate to my husband or children. I tend to "take control" over things that I could just as easily let someone else complete. My oldest pointed this out to me. She said something like she feels I am not helping her enough with her prep for college and yet in the same breath she thinks I am trying to take charge....ah...the mood swings of teen girls! (um....ok....I don't wanna be a "helicopter parent" and we want to teach her to be independent.....so, now she wants help....) She clarified that yes, she has her own responsibilities in this whole college application process. What she has been missing is me meeting her love language (gifts and quality time).....my gift to her can be in helping her with this paper work. Now, some of it DOES need the parent's help....we had a whole section of questions to answer for her Senior Student Prospective. I just assumed she could do her part on her own. Until I discovered that she really does not like to "pump her self up" which is basically what some of these essays and high school paperwork is requiring. So...I had to take the time to show her how to "brag" about her accomplishments in a way that is pleasing to the Lord and not "too show-offy" and yet will capture just who she is and what her academic, social, and community/church accomplishments have been.
All during the time of feeling overwhelmed and ill-equipped.....
but...
this is where God nudged me to let Him lead me......
to that Place that is higher, and mightier than my human efforts....
to die to self.....to put aside my overwhelming feelings and let Him take them on to His shoulders.....
to role-model this for my daughter......
we made a plan of who is doing what tasks (my job is to make a check list of what each college needs and when, along with what the high school needs...this I can do!)
with God leading us, an instant Peace settled over my brain.......
"Lead me to a Rock that is higher than I"......
aren't you glad He is able??
I am reaching for that higher place this week.....what about you??
5 comments:
I am overwhelmed just reading everything you guys need to do into a college. Wow.
I love that scripture. Sometimes just the everyday things in life can add up to be so overwhelming, I know exactly that Calgon quote and have used it often myself. LOL. But how much more better to run to the Rock for shelter and protection!
I totally needed to read this. We had a wonderful and long week away. Now it is time to get back to real life and deal with all that it holds. I need to cling to get through a few of the things it holds for the rest of the week.
This post was featured as a post of the week on my blog. Here is a link to the post:http://www.jdaniel4smom.com/2010/09/great-posts-i-came-across-this-week_25.html
This is absolutely a breath of fresh air! I'm so blessed by a faithful God, who remains faithful even when I try to do things "all on my own." Thanks for sharing!
:)
~Tabitha
Glory to God!
I am so glad you ladies were blessed by this devotional. I love how the Lord teaches me new things and gives me opportunity to share them.....we serve a GOOD GOD!
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