Rushing or Trusting

Every year it seems the holiday commercials, decorations and sales start earlier and earlier. This pushy commercialism actually takes away from our joy because we all know that money buys toys but not happiness. This fall it seems my friends are pushing towards Christmas not to celebrate but just to decorate. One friend did most of her shopping this summer and another put up all her Christmas decorations in the yard right after Halloween because it made her happy. But will it really?

This year has been filled with anxiety, depression and fear due to the Pandemic. Our daily lives have been turned upside down by something we never experienced before. I am just wondering if we are trying to rush through the holidays to reach 2021 hoping that when we turn the calendar everything will be “normal”. If so, it will only bring more pressure to our weary souls.

Dr. Libby Weaver has published a book called, “Rushing Woman’s Syndrome”. Rushing through tasks is actually killing us. We get overwhelmed, fatigued, eat poorly, don’t sleep well and then wonder what’s wrong. We were not designed to live at this pace . Everyone is given 24 hours a day, seven days each week and God gave us the Sabbath to REST, which most of us don’t take.

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matt 6:34 (ESV)

I feel the pull to rush and it makes me anxious. So I am trying hard to enjoy little things each day as they come. In reality, with Covid 19 restrictions, I have plenty of time and no where far to go. When I look out the window to watch the birds activity and the leaves change I try to see a world bigger than just myself. Our attitude needs to be one of gratitude for what we have right now, not worrying about what might happen. Joy is stolen by worry and worry blocks trust.

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Matt 6:26-27

 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: Eccl 3:1 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Eccl 3:11

Our Heavenly Father is watching over us and knows exactly what is going on down here on planet earth. He hears our every prayer and sees every tear and tells us that we can lean on Him when we don’t understand the circumstances around us. (Prov. 3: 5&6) God knows when a vaccine will be ready and this virus gone. We know this years’ holiday season will be very different from the past in many ways. Gatherings are limited, parties will not be happening and for some a loved one will be missing this year. But we can use technology for our benefit and enjoy the little blessings along the way.

There is no need to rush. Life goes by too fast. So let us pause and breathe and trust and rest in His love and grace for each day.