I was driving down May Ave. today talking to God. I had just finished a difficult conversation with a friend who is going through a rough time in a relationship and I was preparing to pray for her. I began by thanking God for all of the ways that he has blessed my life. When I began praying for my friend, it made me think of another friend who was also having a difficult time, and then that turned into a friend who has loved ones in the hospital, and then I remembered that I have loved ones in the hospital...... The list just went on and on, and I thought to myself, "Wow, there are a lot of people hurting this week God!"
God answered, "Hello! Just tuning in down there? There are people hurting all the time!"
"But I know so many personally! I mean it's really tough down here right now! What happened?" I responded.
"The people around you have been hurting for a while. You think your life is stressful but you haven't been dealing with any of this. And, uh, I've been here the entire time too by the way. It's nice to hear from you, you should slow down and do this more often," God admonished.
Talk about a come-to-Jesus moment! I find it so easy to get caught up in the business of my own life that I sometimes forget to see everything else going on around me. Ever get caught up in telling yourself, "I'll do that next week.....when I'm not so busy." Only next week comes and guess what- your busy again. The one thing I have learned in the last year is that LIFE IS BUSY. There won't ever be a time when things don't feel crazy and chaotic. Even vacations feel like marathons of adventures piled into a tiny period of space.
I encourage everyone to take a moment this week to be still. I know I will. And I'm also hoping I hold onto that for when we actually make it to Nicaragua next week. Prayers for safe travels! See ya'll soon!