“In a world addicted to speed, I blur the moments into one unholy smear.”
Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts
On page 67 of Ann’s book, this one sentence stopped me. In fact, I stayed there – rereading, pondering, praying, and confessing – for a few days. My heart weighed heavy at the conviction of my own smearing of life’s moments, my own haste to accomplish the day’s tasks, my own guilty addiction to speed. Soul-weary and with deep desire, I confessed and prayed for strength to s.l.o.w. In the weeks since, I’ve found my strength is not sufficient to tackle the depth of my addiction to the rush. Every attempt to calm the tempest on my own has been met with feverish urgency, necessary tasks forgotten, last minute hurry, and {more often than I’d like to admit} words that reflected the haste in my heart.
I’m unable to win this war. This constant tug-of-war between flesh and spirit … between rush and still. It’s too much for me. And in a quiet moment, early one morning, before the chaos began, He spoke:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” {2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB}
Truth echoed through the weary caverns of my heart … I am unable to win this war. It is too much for me.
But He …
He is able.
It is not too much for Him.
For He is the God of our stillness, the One Who speaks in the gentle breeze, the quiet voice heard even when the storm rages around us. The rush, the speed, the urgent, is not too much for Him. And so, I slow … and the smeary blur grows clearer, the lines of grace more distinct, the colors of joy more vibrant, the shapes of gratitude more visible.
Will you slow?
{Counting graces … with photos and words}
lessons learned from two mothers
encouraging others
friends who share their gifts
mothers who seek to grow in Him
blessing those across the world
sweet friends
giggling
swapping seats
“If only she had some personality!”
The wonder of creation – both tiny…
and huge.
Going through the same battle here. Desire to slow met with my inability to do it. Thank you for sharing your heart. Praying for you…
And on another note, aren’t you so thankful that you were on a chartered bus and not a school bus. 🙂 We recently had a long field trip too and I was so thankful that I wasn’t riding on a big yellow bus. 🙂
Have a nice slow week.
Stephanie recently posted…Monday Fun
Yes … thankful for charter buses!! So thankful!! 🙂
And praying for you too, dear friend.
Love all the moments you captured with your camera this week! Praying for a slow week for both of us!
Sandra recently posted…By Grace I Will Live
Thank you, my friend! And yes … slow. 😉
Seriously, thanks for the encouragement. Needed that. With Joy, Carey
Carey Bailey recently posted…He can do anything! Do you believe
Yes! Yes! To slow, to seek, to see the lines without the blurring rush and madness. Only He can provide and by grace alone can we have that given to us. Thank you for your post! Bright blessings!
Shanyn recently posted…Rebuilding Walls
That book had so many of those moments with me…and this was one of them. Trying to take it slow right along with you.
Melissa recently posted…God is still in the miracle business
Hi, Terri Lynn! I found your blog through the Staycation blog party. 🙂 We’re fellow South Georgians, although we’re brought here by the Army. We love it here! I’m reading through Ann’s book slowly, and chronicling it on my blog as well. 🙂 Glad to have “met” you.