It’s a little hilarious, but oh so true. Lately my motto has been, “Life is not an emergency.” It’s important, and often it’s pretty urgent, but it’s NOT an emergency. Even in the craziest times, it’s evident to me that God is not worried, he is not rushed, he is not nervous or anxious, and he certainly cares most about the important things, usually the things I’m failing to see in my rush. Life is brief and fleeting, so doesn’t that mean it actually necessitates slow living? I have expectantly prepared for the unexpected so I can relax in the midst of chaos, and find an unexplainable peace. Crazy, how I’ve enjoyed some of the craziest times this week, because I have simply decided that life is not an emergency.  I knew for a long time that May would be a crazy month, in a good way, but there was never a doubt that it would be crazy. I’ve had some big events at work, it’s also Mother’s Day, our anniversary, Jonathan’s birthday, travel, jury duty, graduations, photos, etc. But seriously, in the midst of our crazy Meisner May, God is there, and I have felt him ever so closely each moment that I’m still enough to listen, to stop and find him in the quiet…or the loud.

Didn’t Jesus model this for us best? In the midst of the huge crowd that needed to be fed, didn’t he provide fish and loaves for 5,000? Wasn’t he sleeping on the boat in the middle of the raging storm at sea with the disciples? Everyone was afraid they were going to die, but Jesus? He asked them why they were so afraid, and then he shushed the wind and the waves. Ya’ll, let’s pay attention to what God is teaching here.

Matthew 8:24-26 says, “Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

 Jesus isn’t worried…not even kind of. In Christ, urgent means slow. The most urgent matters require slow and steady reverance. He knows that life is not about life, it’s about God. It’s not about things going perfectly, it’s about his Father in heaven. It’s not about what he needs in the moment, but about trusting that God already knows what he needs before he asks. We have a lot more to learn from him I’d say.

Today I’m thanking God, for the family I have to love each day, for the busy life I wouldn’t know what to do without, and for friends and wise leadership in my life that make me better. For the love that only God can show me, for the joy of family and the blessing of a Godly heritage to learn from, and for the simple joys of life–like birds chirping, and wind blowing so loud that they rustle the leaves of our very tall green trees, for enough soap to wash my feet off at night, for restful Saturday mornings where no one needs anything but a hug, and for sunshine…sweet free, beautiful sunshine. For a morning cup of coffee, and money enough to buy it, taste buds to enjoy it, and people to share it with. For a pink flower God created for me, just for Mother’s Day. For today, because it’s a gift, and that’s all there is to it. Lord, I’m thankful. So very very very thankful.

Truett and Michelle 2014

From Truett for Mother’s Day 2014