Comfort in the Craziness

Here’s what I love: comfort in the craziness.

Have you ever felt weary with every-day stressors?  When the week is piled high with responsibilities and the future is alarming with too many unknowns, I go into worry mode.  

My shoulders and neck get rock-hard with tension.  My forehead tends to wrinkle.  My jaw tightens.  I grind my teeth when I’m asleep.  I forget to breathe when I’m awake. 

It’s times like these—when a decision is looming AND responsibilities are stacking up, that I need comfort.  You know—a good mom hug—the kind where she strokes your hair and pats your back and waits ‘til you take a few good, deep breaths.  I need comfort—the kind that walks in strong and able like my husband ready to take chores off my plate, hear me vent, and then hug me protectively. 

I rarely feel overly afflicted, distressed, or even stressed.  But, there are times when a perfect storm of stressors—big and little gang up against me (they especially tend to do this when PMS has made me weak). 

Last Thursday was one of those days.

I was packing for a trip that the girls and I were taking to Houston.  I was making dinner whilst simultaneously helping BOTH girls with school projects that were due.  Oh, and Abigail had soccer practice that night too and I had a PTA meeting to attend.  See what I mean, perfect storm of stressors.

The worst was that both girls needed me at exactly the same time for guidance on their projects.  I hadn’t felt like this since I was nursing Alexis and a three-year old Abigail was starving for a sandwich at exactly the same time.  (Yes, I did attempt making a sandwich with one hand whilst nursing Alexis standing up…I don’t remember it working out too well.)

Anyway, forget the dishwasher being unloaded and the dinner prep and the packing—we had school projects needing to be completed…simultaneously. 

Are you feeling overwhelmed?  I certainly was.

So, I did the first thing I thought of.

I texted my husband.  I texted him some loving, kindhearted text that looked like this:

“please tell me you are coming home soon!”

Sending that text wasn’t enough for me. 

I was in panic mode and feeling like I needed help ASAP.

So, I called him.

Ring.  Ring.  Ring. Ring.  VOICEMAIL!

I hear my weary, monotone voice complaining on the message saying that I hoped he was coming home soon…

After I hung up, God called me.  Well, not really a call on my iPhone, but a clear thought rang in my head: 

“Why didn’t you call Me?” 

I pursed my lips together.

Both of my daughters sat at the counter waiting for me to help them. Dinner prep stared at me from the cutting board, the open dishwasher sat steaming.

I ignored everything.

For a quick 27 seconds, I ignored it all.

I put my phone down.

Then, I made the call that I should have made all along.

I turned my back on the messes and the overwhelming issues piled around me.  I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

I’m sorry God.  You are right.  I’m calling on you now.  I can’t do all of this.  I can’t help both girls at exactly the same time.  I can’t get all of these things done before soccer practice and PTA.  Please help me.

Even as I silently said these things, part of me was rolling my eyes a little bit.  Unless God was going to show up with skin on and help one of these kids with their homework or unload the dishwasher, I wasn’t sure how He was going to help much.  Even with my bad attitude, God answered.

What happened next is difficult to explain.

Comfort walked in.

Peace washed over me like a mom-hug. 

Super natural strength filled me like a helper walking in the door.

I know it was His wisdom that allowed me to work with my younger daughter first while my older daughter did what she could on her project.  Once Lexi's project was finished, I sat with Abigail and hammered out the problems with her project.  I was already finished unloading the dishwasher when Bill called back.

Unfortunately, my voice didn’t reflect the miracle of what had  happened over the previous 20 minutes.  I did tell him that it had worked out and we were still excited to have him home…sooner rather than later we hoped… Bill probably still felt burdened to hurry home since I was still facing packing and dinner and practice and PTA (Oh my!)

I guess I hadn’t had time to reflect on what had happened.

God whispered.

I cried out to Him.

He showed up!  Even though He didn’t have skin on, He sure arrived faster than Bill could have.  And He brought super-natural assistance with Him—wisdom I hadn’t possessed 30 seconds earlier, and a shot of strength with a hug of peace on the side. 

I can’t say I know how He does that, but I can tell you it really happened.

Looking back, I know that the creator of the universe was in my kitchen helping my kids with their homework. 

Looking ahead, I hope I’ll remember to call on Him first. Because He is closer than a mother and can be there quicker than a husband.

John 14:25-27

25 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (Ah, the Holy Spirit--that's how God showed up in my kitchen last Thursday!)

1 Peter 5:7

7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (Even if you roll your eyes a little bit, still try to cast your anxiety on Him, He's listening.  He will help!)

Matthew 11:28-29

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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.” ("Rest for your souls=a mom hug for your soul!")