Running and Praying in Circles

Sunday night I was pretty much in panic mode. With 10 days until I head to PA for a blogging conference and from there straight to Alabama with my family for another month, I saw the next week as a blur of urgent to-do’s and me running around like a chicken with her head cut off, with no certainty that I’d get even the most important things done.

Thankfully, I’ve been reading Circle Maker, so it was fresh in my mind that I should commit everything to God by praying specific, faith-filled prayers over each of the things that were stressing me.

Lying exhausted in bed with my husband, we held hands and prayed…

1. For his back to quit spasming and that we’d both be able to catch up on the sleep we’d lost the night before when his back started going berserk.
2. For my Allume speech–that it would come together, that I’d have sufficient time to practice, that my words would be a blessing next weekend at Allume.
3. For the coming trip to Alabama–that I’d quit stressing about the challenge of packing my family days before they leave because I’m leaving ahead of them.
4. For the coming week–so many things to do (cook, clean, pack, write, clean, love on my kids, pack, take up the slack for my husband’s sore back, clean, cook, pack, shop, and try to leave the house clean, maybe?). I needed direction on what to say ‘no’ to, because there was no way I’d get it all done.

Within 24 hours every one of our requests was answered.

1. By bedtime last night, Jeremy was walking without using the crutches that had got him around the house and to work and back yesterday. I tried to be all cute and witty by using a Fezzik accent from Princess Bride: “You are moving your legs! That is wonderful!” Of course, you are more than welcome to continue to pray that Jeremy’s back would hold up for the many long hours he has to spend in the service truck for the coal business this time of year. We’re just grateful he’s able to sleep again.
2. The Lord reminded me of Gideon. How he faced a challenge with less resources than he thought he needed, and this was so God got the glory. Oh, yes. It’s ok to feel inadequate. That’s where God has room to shine. Yesterday afternoon I had an hour during nap time in which I hammered out the rest of my speech and I feel in my spirit I’ve finally go the words I’m supposed to bring to my sisters at Allume. Praise God. Also, a friend from my Mastermind Group offered to let me try it out on her via Skype tonight. Speech done and time to practice!
3. The Lord reminded me that Alabama is a place of rest for me. I don’t need to stress about packing projects to make the most of my time down there (even if Christmas is on the horizon and I haven’t done a THING to prepare yet!). I need to embrace the season of rest He has prepared for me, and trust the holidays (and everything else) to Him. I’m also not going to stress about bringing down half my pantry with me, despite the difficulty of finding whole foods in that area. It’s just not that big of a deal. I’m sure the Lord can take care of our health on fare from WalMart for a month. With my packing list slashed in half, I’m breathing easy again.
4. With a few phonecalls and schedule changes (even saying no to a few things that were important but not priority) , my week, which had been overwhelming with to-do’s and to-go’s was blissfully clear, leaving me free to focus on my family before leaving for the conference.

I share all this so you can praise God with me for how He met us in our time of need, and to remind you that He really does care about the details of our daily lives. You really should try praying about that thing that’s stressing you.

Oh, and I wanted to let you know I don’t see myself posting again until after Allume. Although I have some delicious posts in the cue, I just can’t put them up when I know I won’t have time to meet you in the comments. So unless something really random and not-to-be missed comes along, expect a little quiet around here for the next two weeks. I shall miss you!

P.S. Here’s a picture of me before my first 5K last week (with my running buddy, Kim). I ran, and ran, and ran, and ran and (wait for it…) finished the race and it was exhilarating and exhausting and I’m so glad it’s over. Thanks for cheering me on!

P.S.S. Oh, and one more thing–pray for Julia?