Fall tends to find me in a frenzy. It happens each and every year without fail. No matter how organized I try to be I just can't grasp control.
When my kids were little I'd end Sunday night by hanging each days outfit for the week in their closets along with socks, shoes, hair bows, and after school clothes. On Sundays, after church, I would plan the weeks menu and cook what I could ahead of time. I'd pack lunches for each day the night before. I was in control. Super organized. Invariably something would arise to rock my boat. My organized world would flip upside down. I would loose it.
I'm actually an anomaly. I'm that strange bird who can't stay on task without organization. Here's the rub: I'm not organized, by nature, and I'm not good at following suit. BUT I'm a rule follower. I've been confused my whole life. Sigh. I'm good at the laid back schedule of summer. Fall? It stresses me out. So much thrown at me at one time.
When my brother, Robin, my sister-in-law, and I walked into my Father's assisted living apartment two weeks ago I was like a deer caught in head lights. Sheer panic at the overwhelming task before us. We have until September 30th to dispose of, organize, and store 83 years of my Dad's belongings. Actually over a century because the man even has his Father and Grandfather's WWI and WWII uniforms. There are photo albums with pictures dating back as far as 1847. There is no organization. No direction.
My mind, after the terror subsided, immediately thought of Jesus and Peter. The disciples were in a horrible storm while fishing. The wind was roaring. The waves were rocking and tossing the boat. Jesus walks on water to save them. Jesus tells Peter to take his hand and trust Him. To walk on the water with Him. Peter, this faith filled man. This disciple who loves his Savior actually doubts. At first Peter follows Jesus. He walks with Him. Then Peter realizes just how bad the storm is. He becomes terribly afraid. He looks down. Jesus grabs Peters hand and pulls him out of the water and into the boat.
Are you faced with a daunting task? Do you tell the world your faith is in Jesus yet you are still afraid? Do you not practice what you preach? When the rubber hits the road are you really all in?
The world teaches us to question everything. Google it. Look it up. Find a better way. A smarter way. The best way. The anomaly is that as Christians we are taught to trust by our faith in Jesus Christ. Even the most seasoned of followers, like Peter, forget that Jesus is ALWAYS there to give us a hand up. He is our anomaly: something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.
I tried to visualize cleaning out my Father's apartment as a bridge. We were standing on one side. We had to cross over the bridge/mess to get thru to the other side. Thankfully, my husband is an amazing organizer. Thankfully I'm a rule follower. After my dazed, confused, and panic state subsided I was able to tackle each task he recommended.
I've learned so many lessons since my Dad became terminally ill. I've learned that I'm overwhelmed because I'm afraid. I only become afraid when I forget to fix my eyes on Him. The moment I look down, rather than up, I'm lost in the storm. If I remain focused on the task at hand, looking up to praise and thank Him, I'm able to bridge the gap between fear and faith.
"Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said,
'why did you doubt?'”-Matthew 14:31
'why did you doubt?'”-Matthew 14:31
