Last week was pretty crazy. Stressful actually. And I have the cold sore to prove it. Anyone else have a week like that?
Between planning an event for my client next week and all the tiny minutia related to that, and working on 3 other events next month for him, and Sisterhood stuff at church. And band concerts and snow days and blizzard bags and no routine.
And next week doesn’t look much better.
Where’s the calgon? Or a Kit Kat? Or a Nestea plunge?
This morning I opened my Bible to John. I wanted to read about abiding in the Vine and rivers of living water. Just the thought of those things calms, doesn’t it?
But the first things I saw as I flipped to John were the headings for the different sections. They looked kind of like headlines to me:
Jesus Feeds 5000
Jesus Walks on Water
Jesus is the Bread of Life
Then I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and said that sweet Name out loud.
Jesus
And I smiled. And there was peace. And all of the stress of last week and all of the stress about the busy week to come just vanished. Disappeared. Melted away in the sound of that Name.
Jesus
The more I said it, the more memories came flooding back. More of my favorite headlines:
Jesus Heals Woman Who Touched His Robe
Jesus Raised Jairus’ Daughter From Dead
Jesus Heals at the Pool of Bethesda
Jesus Forgives Woman Caught in Adultery
Jesus Heals Blind Man with Spit and Dirt
Jesus Calms the Storm
And then there were the headlines from my own life:
Jesus Provides for Bible School Tuition
Jesus Comforts Toni on the Loss of her Brother
Jesus Sends Money for Mission Trip to Africa
God’s Plan Revealed – Toni Steps Out – God is Faithful
Toni’s Daughter Healed of Seizures by the Power of God
God Uses Toni to Share His Word – Her Heart is Full
Jesus Walks Toni Through Dark Seasons Back to Joy and Abundance
Toni has Peace in the Midst of Chaos Because He is With Her Always
Remembering His Name didn’t change how busy last week was. It didn’t change the fact that next week will be jam packed with busy.
It did remind me that I don’t have to do it alone. In my own strength. I have help. I have Him.
I have the One who calms storms and gives power to the faint and strength to the weary and grace and help in my time of need living in me.
And so do you.
So take a minute. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. And whisper that Name.
Jesus.
And remember. And He will flood your heart and mind like a River of peace and saturate your day. Saturate your schedule. Saturate your week with His presence.
“For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zephaniah 3:17)