Patricia F. Wilson writes in her book Quiet Spaces: “Dear Jesus, during this day help me quiet all the thoughts that fill my head – where I must go, who I must see, and what I must do. In their place, give me a sense of your order, your peace, and your time… I give all my tasks to you and trust you to bring order to them.”
As I read this quote I was drawn to two passages that talk about quiet, stillness, and rest.
Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.”
Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.”
It is often difficult in the midst of chaos to quiet the thoughts in our head. It is difficult to stop and pray for God to provide the order to the day when we know all that we have to accomplish and we think we can’t possibly take 10-15 minutes to stop and ask God to order things for us.
Something very calming happens when we do take time to pray, especially before the busiest of day; the pressure seems to fall away. The deadlines are still there, the to-do list is still there, but the bedlam surrounding it seems to fall away knowing that God will put things in order.
Prayer: Father, please calm my heart today and throughout Advent. Help me to build a habit each day of turning that day over to you so together we can accomplish everything you wish for me to accomplish without added stress and worry in my life. Help me to not be anxious, but to give everything great and small to you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
In the midst of my busyness, I am reading this a day late. Thank you for the reminder to stay calm and take time to pray.