I am a plate spinner.

 

Driven.   Disorganized.  Dutiful.  Dizzy.

 

Each morning, I awake with naive expectation.  I daydream I’m a super, methodized, dynamo.

 

I start the spinning- my brain jumps to another 7 tasks.  I pick up more poles and start spinning the next seven plates.  I’m confident I can spin at least 20 plates today- maybe more.  I am a fireball of determination.

 

Running from plate to plate, I try to get all 20 spinning.

 

I begin to tire.

 

Why in blue blazes did I ever start to spin 20 plates today?  They begin crashing all around me.  I’m left with only 3 plates spinning.  My daydream is disintegrating.

 

Discouragement.

 

Why can’t I get more done?  My “list” doesn’t look that long…. at least in theory.

 

“Do more!  Do it ALL! ” my mind screams.

 

I stare at the plates.  I take the remaining 3 off their poles.

 

Defeated- or maybe, illuminated-    I realize my strength and performance aren’t enough.  I’m not super human.  I’m only one person.

 

[Tweet “Stop. Breathe. #Pray. Relax. Let God take over life. #rest #surrender #trust“]

 

Life is more than spinning plates,

desperately trying to orchestrate and control my life.

 

Life is walking hand in hand with the One who spins the

universes and brings order out of chaos.

[Tweet “Walk hand in hand with the One who spins the universes and brings #order out of #chaos. #live”]

 

Maybe I should quit frantically spinning and walk through life, one moment at a time.

 

Maybe today, I’ll put away my poles and plates and trade them in for light and easy living.

 

I was reading Matthew 11 in The Message!

 

Jesus says, “Keep company with me- and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

 

[Tweet “If I’m tired and stressed- I need to change who I’m walking with- #Jesus #promise #rest”]

 

 

What?  Did I read that right?  Jesus wants me to live free and easy?

 

Isn’t that liberating?  exciting? joyfully promising?

 

The only plate I need to spin each day is learning to keep company with Jesus.

He’ll “spin” everything else to the rhythm of His glories.

And He’ll teach me how to rest in Him-

recover my life-

walk with Him-

work with Him

and ultimately learn to live from the unforced rhythms of grace.

Surprising Treasure:      Matthew 11:28-30The Message (MSG)
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

 

 

 

 

 

ball of fire    doer

Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parents