I’m driving down the highway. The sky is clear and the sun is shining. Only a slight chill was noticeable this morning. The past few days were overcast with wind and rain. All I can seemingly do is to reflect on the laundry list of tasks that need my attention today, not to mention tomorrow’s growing list. The weather is now warming, the rain has come and I suddenly notice the mountains are coated with a beautiful green hue. Spring is upon us.

As my previous post “Overcommitted” detailed, life has been anything but peaceful lately. Everywhere I turn I’m presented with a to-do list that needs catered to. Work, moving, a new puppy and my own plethora of other commitments certainly add up. Monday struck and I was beyond stressed while driving to my first work appointment, as noted above. My mind is constantly rotating through what needs done, yet I cannot keep it all straight. I have list after list, yet they seemingly get longer regardless of how much I accomplish.

I’ve been here before. I’ve had busy periods of life. I’ve been attacked by the enemy. I’ve gone through personal challenges. I’ve pressed through all sorts of phases. This isn’t new, it’s just current. It feels heavy. I’m breathless at times, while sleepless at others. It’s too much, yet I seem to get through. Perhaps I should refer to my path as “getting by,” as I don’t feel like I’m actually getting through much lately.

I felt a peaceful reminder come over me on Monday morning when I noticed the greenery coating the mountains of Phoenix, brought on by our recent rainstorm. The green reminded me of “being made anew.” New greenery covering a mountain that was recently smothered by rain and wind. The seasons we must pass through in life. Some short, others longer, yet seasons they are. Whether we experience a season of stress, pain, sadness or hurt, we CAN experience greenery on the other side. We can be made anew from all that wind and rain.

I feel like that beautiful green hue was a reminder from God. The moment spoke to me: “this too shall pass.” My last post “Overcommitted” discussed my intentionality of the current season of being overly busy and stressed. This post I’m also recognizing what I’m experiencing isn’t all self-inflicted. The world seems to be piling things up for me. I cannot help but reflect on the possibility of a deeper spiritual battle going on.

My stomach churns when I’m stressed. This is one symptom that was common back in my hypochondria days. My mind loses focus. I let the distractions take hold and my heart therefore isn’t fully tuned into my ultimate Source of Peace. My priorities are out of balance and therefore I lead with ego more often than I care to admit: shortness with others, frustration before grace, chaos replaces JOY, and the result is a helpless feeling.

Yet that green hue. A reminder that despite what happens to us or around us, we are made anew through it all. As the Morning Prayer says: “Lord help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I can’t handle together.” We can handle anything with Christ. I lose focus while entrenched in chaos, tackling to-do lists, in the daily grind. Yet I cannot allow this world to steal my peace; so I’m determined to make strides toward an even deeper RELATIONSHIP with God.

Perhaps an appreciation for the opportunity to learn amidst a super hectic time is called for. Perhaps leaning into God and relying on Him to help me through this season is called for. Perhaps even more conversation with God is necessary each day, as I learn to SURRENDER each circumstance to Him. I’m a firm believer that we can always learn a lesson throughout each season if we are open to doing so. I naturally reflect on what these times can teach me. Perhaps I don’t know the lesson at this point, yet I FEEL that one is there.

One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

How powerful! Perhaps I need to refocus my lens. Perhaps I need to refocus on God first and my laundry list of responsibilities second. Perhaps I need to remember that I also will be tinted with a green hue once this storm passes. I’ve heard so many people say over the years “God has you here for a reason,” which has been spoken aloud in my direction more than once lately. I agree to an extent. What I believe is that God wants us to lean into Him regardless of where we are. God wants us to put Him first and learn the lessons that only He can teach along our respective journeys. The wind and rain may seem traumatizing in the moment, yet without rain we cannot bloom. Sometimes storms must come and go to keep us fresh, learning and growing.

That green hue. Those mountains glimmering with radiant freshness. What is God teaching me? Am I tuned in enough to hear His whispers?

Lamentations 3:22-25 “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, therefore I hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.

May I remember to put my hope in God first. May I wait for Him amidst trying times. May I remember that my soul seeking Him is the most important thing on my daily to-do list (and SURRENDERING of course). Perhaps this is the lesson, or more likely even one of many. My to-do list remains. My to-do list doesn’t need to dominate my thoughts and emotions however. I wasn’t designed to live in constant stress- that’s a lie from the enemy. The world can wait a few minutes. I’m going to appreciate this green hue, perhaps a wink from God, and reflect on the transformation we’re each offered via a relationship with Him. I’m going to wait patiently for His whisper. I’m remaining steadfast. I’m going to celebrate being made anew amidst all circumstance.

May we have peace. May we deepen in our faith walk. Amen!

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