I killed a spider with my bare thumb this morning. I spared no time as it looked me in the eye inside the CAMPER TRAILER SHOWER!  It was me or him. There was no room for kindness.  (I've already bragged about it on Facebook. Sorry if you're having to read about it again...I'm done now). 

For a moment I felt invincible. A half-hour later I was reminded of my limitations while I was curling my hair in the kitchen. 

We stayed at a KOA camp in Raton, New Mexico last night. Isn't it pretty? 

We're headed to South Fork, Colorado today. So this morning I was trying to both get ready and pack up everything we used last night, one of those "needing to be packed" items was a candle I used last night to get rid of the musty camper smell. 

I felt I was positioned perfectly to clean and primp at the same time. My curling iron cord, which was attached to my hair, was plugged in on my right. I noticed a woven basket on the cabinet directly underneath the plug. "A good place to put the candle that's now on the table to my left," I thought. It needs to be secured before making this last leg of the drive.  

Just as quickly as I murdered that spider, I lunged my left hand toward the candle (while my right hand was still attached to the curling iron that was wrapped around my hair). The cord snapped me back in place. 

So I took a large step with my left foot toward the table, sure if I stretched myself I'd be able to reach it and put it in the basket. 

My efforts were in vain. 

Note to self:  write about your problem with impulsivity.  

I had to finish "my curl" and then put the curling iron down. 

I think I speak for all of us when I say we have things we should put down. We all needlessly stretch ourselves. 

We try to do, to make, to fix...to control, finding ourselves spent. Exhaustion can discourage us, reminding us of all the things that are left undone. 

Thankfully my battle of will only lasted about thirty seconds this morning, but trying to do as much as I can in as little time as possible is a lifestyle I'm accustomed to. 

Anybody remember this? One of my favorite visuals describing me when I hurry. 

Life isn't meant to be lived out in our own strength. Weariness  reminds us, brothers and sisters, of "the thing to do" when we're feeling frazzled. 

The Message puts it nicely:

Are you tired? Worn out? ...Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.  Matthew  11:28-30

Time with God (surrender to God) teaches us those things (worry, control, fear, busyness...) that can be crossed off our list. He tells us to put that thing down. He shows us how to order our steps. He teaches us to wait, giving "rest to our souls".  

Flight will perish from the swift, And the stalwart will not strengthen his power, Nor the mighty man save his life. Amos 2:14

Don't forget to subscribe if you don't want to miss a post.