Breathe

Full time college student with a part time job. That alone is hard enough for me. I know a lot of people who have way more on their plate than that, and from my life experience, I don't handle stress very well . . . unless a complete emotional break down is a good way of handling stress. A little over a year ago I went through every kind of stress that you can imagine. I was a senior in high school, part time college student, while everything in my life was being changed and/or questioned. I felt like I was losing everything I ever was. I bet you can guess what happened next. Oh yes, an emotional break down.

Long story short - I got some tough love from God, a complete wake up call. Totaled my car, I thought this was going to mean even more stress. Of course it did, bills, no car, injuries, insurance - that was all just grand! But I say I got tough love from God because I felt like He showed me something that day. This sounds cheesy, I'm sure, but I remember opening my eyes and the first thing I saw was the sunset reflecting on the Mississippi River, the fresh snow fall like crystals in the air and for once in a long time, I had shalom. It was beautiful and for that very moment, everything in my life was still. Peaceful. Calm. Since then I daily remind myself to stop and breathe. To take a moment from each day to gaze in awe of His glorious creation.

As humans, we take everything for granted, and when our world is pulled out from under us - we don't know where to turn. Our stressful lives seem to put a haze over the one who holds our lives in His hands. We are so busy with living that we forget why we are living! Why we were created! I encourage everyone to take a few minutes from your busyness to breathe and enjoy what HaShem has done in your life. Praising Him, in the simplest of ways throughout the day makes everything so much better, so much more manageable. Giving us peace of mind remember who is really in control.

Psalm 28:7

ADONAI is my strength and shield; in him my heart trusted, and I have been helped. Therefore my heart is filled with joy, and I will sing praises to him.