I was rushing…rushing to get Tucker situated, grab my earrings, a quick swish of the lint roller to get the fuzzies off my black pants…so we could make it to church on time fashionably late. In the car I felt anxious…felt agitated with myself for having to rush like this…if only I had watched the clock a little more closely. So, I took a deep breath, took a moment to notice how beautiful the day was, and decided that a few minutes were not really so important. What was important was that I was going to church with my best friend…my sweet hubby. I almost began to fret because this sweet hubby wanted to go in his car this morning which meant the top would be back, and my hair…that hair I had just dried and “fixed” would be a bit more wispy than I had intended. 🙂  Again, I took a deep breath and reminded myself what a blessing it is to be in a car with a man I love, heading to church…wispy hair and all!!

 Oh, goodness, I’m gonna be honest with you…I get so very frustrated with myself sometimes because I will get all anxious if I am running behind, worrying too much about this or that,  allowing myself to focus on the unimportant things, and especially when I am trying to be in control of things that I just need to give to God. And, I’m working on all of this. When I say “working on it” that is just what I mean…it takes work to change these things…to remove old habits and create new ones…ones that are healthier and better for my well-being…for my sanity. When I chose these sunset photos I didn’t know what I would write to go along with them. But, as I looked at them closely and spotted the boat that was moving towards the sunset, I was reminded how much I loved how slow that boat seemed to move that evening. It took its time which allowed me to get some beautiful shots as it approached the sunset.

 I think it’s a good reminder that I need to take my time…not get so caught up in the “rushing”. For, it’s when I take my time that I notice how blue the sky is, I give thanks for a sweet husband that opens the door for me to that car he enjoys so much, and I find that my anxiety needs to be set out to sea. I can assure you though this is easier said than done.  Can you relate?  Maybe just a little??

My mind was racing when we sat down in church…thinking about so many things that need to be done this week. I felt frustrated again…sometimes it is the hardest thing for me to get my mind to just “go quiet”. So, I prayed to God that He would quieten my thoughts so that I could hear His message this morning. And, guess what…He did just that! And, it was such a beautiful message our pastor shared with us. It touched my heart so…and, John’s…it was as though it was just perfect…just what we needed to hear. I love it when this happens! Now, I’m willing to bet there were many other people in church this morning that felt like that message was just perfect for them, too. And, I hope it was. I also love that later in the day I visited a blog I had not read in many months…just happened to click on it in my reader…and, it was as though one of the posts went along just perfectly with the message we heard this morning. {Ok, I realize that is a whole lotta “perfect”, but well, it’s the truth!}  Gotta love that…God speaking to me in the morning, in the afternoon, and all day long! One very important thing has to take place though…I have to be listening. I have to want to hear what He wants to share with me. And, I do, and I am thankful I can recognize when my mind is just too loud…when it needs to be quietened…and, He is willing to help me with this so He comes through loud and clear. Sometimes it takes a few times for me to realize He is trying to get my attention though. Slowly but surely…just like that boat…I will make my way to His light. And, it reminds me once more that I just need to listen…because reaching for His light is where I find relief from the anxiety and the rushing…it’s where I find PEACE.

I hope you are finding your PEACE, and if you are having difficulty some days…well, I encourage you to join me in the art of listening.  It’s amazing what we can hear when we do this!!  🙂

Be sure to come back tomorrow…I’ve got a yummy {and, easy…you know, I like easy!} recipe for you!  It’s great for fall get togethers, ballgames, and as an appetizer for your girls’ night out!

Hugs!!

2012 Copyright Ann-Margaret’s/Ann-Margaret’s Visions
Please do not copy/use text, photos, or images (graphics) without permission.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog!