Have you ever asked God for a "neon sign?" I woke up early the other day, before the rest of the house. As I sat down to enjoy a marvelous espresso, I glanced at the window, where a ribbon of light had come pouring in across our delicate curtains. There, in disbelief, I read across the ribbon the word "STOP." Yeah, it's strange, but that's how my brain saw it in a flash, scribbled clearly in-between the folds--just dazzling. I don't think God could have made that any clearer. I laughed to consider what to make of it.
What should I stop? Job hunting? Projects? Stressing? Family scheduling?
I have a hard time stopping. Being busy is a sign of being important, I've heard, and I'm prone to think many Americans agree. I think of "Kitchen Nightmare's" where master chef Gordon Ramsey comes blazing in to show restaurant owners all the things they are screwing up. My favorite episode so far is a place in New Orleans owned by two hot-headed brothers. Gordon nails one brother to the wall, calling him a "busy idiot," and almost gets himself punched. The other brother tries to cool his sibling down later by convincing him that "busy idiot" is a foreign compliment. "Sure it is," he croons, "'busy idiot' means you work real' hard, you just workin' in some of the wrong places."
So to what degree am I a "busy idiot?" And do I really want my ego stroked by sharing all the busy things I'm doing, or could I STOP and consider If what I'm doing really matters?
I love also the story of a reporter who got to ask Mother Teresa how we might come to create World Peace. I don't know what sort of answer he was expecting, but she gave one so simple, so anti-busy, that it was brilliant.
"You want world peace?" she said, "Then go home and love your families."
STOP. Okay. Without a pity party. Without regret. Good luck.
(Post Publishing note: after posting this, I opened up a cranberry juice and inside the top: the words "SMARTER, NOT HARDER." I know I'm reading into things here, but seriously. Ha. Got it. Loud and clear. Now, if only to put that into practice...
"God is more pleased with the quiet attention of a sincere servant than the noisy service of a sour one." - Max Lucado
I have another friend who struggles to not be too busy and she calls it reminding herself to be a Mary instead of a Martha.
ReplyDeleteI like that, Jenn. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI had a sign like that a week or so ago. I had to finally listen, because after a couple days of tring to convince God that "enduring was fine", he took me to the old testament and reminded me of how He has dealt with Kings who don't listen. And, I am no King. I cannot imagine that I should deserve better.
ReplyDeleteAhh, praise God for Grace.