Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Hectic

WOW! That is all I can say about the last weeks. It has been a fast ride through the days. I think all of us could use a little settling down. Just to back off our routine for a time to readjust. I have been so busy with church related stuff and horse training that it feels like I am in a whirlwind. But sometimes you need to just get off, take a deep breath and relax. I learned this while first beginning to work with Stormy, the latest horse in my training. He has taught me there are times when you just have to switch things up and stop for a minute and catch your breath or breath. When mounting for the first time, and dozens of times after that my heart beats fast, and kind of just have to get in the right frame of mind and decide to swing all the way on. Then get back off and walk it off and go back at it. That is the way it is spiritually too. Things happen, people get sick, schedules get thrown to the wind, emotions get frazzled. It is at those times when you need to get off the 'horse' and shake it off. I think it was Martin Luther who said, "I have so much to do today that I must spend 3 hours in prayer or I will not get it all done." What a statement about hecticness in our lives. But most of us think 'if I don't have time to get all the things done I need to today, how am I going to have time to spend 3 hours in prayer?' Now don't misunderstand, I'm not there yet either. I think I probably spend 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour in prayer at one time,usually in the morning and read Scripture on top of that. But one thing I have noticed is this. When I take the time to spend it with God each day, He has a way of making my day stretch far enough to get all the important things done that I need to. I usually use a list, much to my wife's humorousness. Using a list helps me stay focused and It is pleasing to be able to check things off the list each day. I use a list with my training too. That way I don't skip things that need done.
So, the next time you find yourself in a frazzled state of mind, consciously get off the 'horse', take a walk in the woods or down your favorite road, or just sit on the back porch and pray. Take the time to talk with the Lord and listen to Him. Read a portion of scripture and chew on it a while until you really find out what God is saying in that passage. Then get back on, refreshed and more confident.
God Bless