4. #Thelaststraw

Don't blame the straw...

The fault lies in all the other baggage...

We have all experienced that last straw... "The straw that broke the camels back". We spew, "That's it! I've had it! I'm on my last nerve!" We just cannot take one more thing. We are so overwhelmed with everything happening in us or around us, that we feel helpless and out of control. When we get to that "last straw" it can go two ways, we can break...or we can break others. Sometimes we even break both.

There is always just one more thing to do. The pressures of living in today's world are innumerable. How is it that in a society in which we have so many appliances and gadgets to make life easier has life become so hard? We are not at the river pounding our clothes on a rock so where is the time savings? We are running and rushing through our daily lives. It is not enough that we are busy with our jobs and families, but now we have to check in on everybody else's.

Insomnia has become an epidemic. How can we function well on the hamster wheel when we can't even get off? We are pushed to "Be the Best!" Make more money! Lose those pounds! And with the greatest intentions, we often even push our children and their schedules to the MAX wanting them to be the best they can be!!!

All this "best!" is daunting and exhausting. We become Beasts of Burden; weary and heavy laden with "to do" lists, deadlines, bills, kids, chores, and we add to this worry about our future (all the while dealing with our past) and we end up bowed and bent under all the baggage of our anxiety and stress. Yes indeed, if one more straw is added to our backs we may surely end up just like the camel.

Where can we find relief from the frenzy? Who can help us find the calm in our storm? Where can we find Peace in the purpose?

God says: "Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Mathew 11:28)

It takes faith to relinquish our "to do" list to God. It takes faith to leave our anxious thoughts at His feet. But this is exactly what God is asking. He wants us to have an abiding Peace which surpasses our understanding. He wants to guard our hearts and minds with a sweet, gentle, flowing, sense of well being and comfort. He knows your troubles and longs to wash you with the tranquil calm of His presence.

(Philippians 4:6)

Does this sound too good to be true? Does God really care about all of our mundane busy lives, while the World is going mad? Does He really care about your "to do" list? Does He really care about your future? The answer is yes...

Oh, yes...

"For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

(Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Please continue along with me, and perhaps together we can find the faith we need to seek and pray to God as we piece together all the parts of God and this World that don't make sense. And maybe just maybe we will find that God is a loving, kind, caring Father and a rewarder to those who seek Him...

(Hebrews 11:6)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

"God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think"

(Ephesians 3:20)