Deep Breaths...

This post is by Tami Rodriguez.

Covid, murder hornets, civil unrest, riots...I’ve seen many memes welcoming us to the next level of Jumaji which is funny... but not funny! I’ve found myself rather paralyzed the last few days if I slow down or sit still. 

My house is cleaner than it ever has been because it keeps me busy and focused on anything other than this world. Today as I ran out of things to clean it forced me to face my thoughts and feelings and it wasn’t pretty.  My instinct was to curl up in the fetal position and disappear.

As I was trying to hide away a short storm blew threw and then the sun began to shine.  We tend to get a lot of rainbows at our house so I decided to check.  I walked out my front door and saw the biggest brightest rainbow I think I have EVER seen!  My kids came running out, and we took pictures and oouuued and ahhhhed over it for quite some time.

As our eyes were focused up, an unbelievable peace came over me and I exhaled the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding for the past week.  As I did I said aloud, “God is still in control and He keeps His promises.”  It wasn’t for a camera or anyone else’s ears.  It just came out of me.  It’s like the Holy Spirit spoke the truth that is hidden deep inside of me without me even thinking and it suddenly brought clarity to my mind and soul. 

Like God often does, a million lessons came flooding in at once. Where have my eyes been focused? Where were they when I found peace? When my eyes are on the news and social media and politics and Covid numbers, all I know is fear and sorrow and panic.  When my eyes are on Him I know peace, security and truth. 

Peace. God is in control and I do not need to fear- Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 

Security. Nothing can separate me from God- Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Truth. God is with me- Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Quarantines, restrictions, and different work schedules have made my days seem out of my control.  I feel like the days and circumstances are bossing me around and I’m like a little lost puppy just wandering aimlessly.

In my “rainbow moment” it dawned on me I have not been doing my Hello Morning routines.  I haven’t been in the Word, looked at my planner or worked out in the past week and a half...no wonder I feel so out of sorts!

I call my morning routine my “Morning Foundation”.  Having a plan, remembering who is in control and moving my body does wonders for my attitude, energy and anxiety. It gives me a solid start to my day along with the grace to know if I only have 3 minutes or 3 hours I can make the time work to center me and remember The One who holds the world in His hands.

If you feel as frazzled and overwhelmed as I have lately, let me encourage you to get back to the basics.  God Time. Plan Time. Move Time. It doesn’t solve all the world’s problems but it reminds us who already has.  Deep breaths, friends, God’s got this. 

Tami Rodriguez has been married to her high school sweetheart for 26 years and has 5 children plus a new daughter in law! She has homeschooled for 17 years and still has 7 more to go...send coffee! Tami is a lifelong learner who loves to study God’s Word and to teach on it whenever given the opportunity.  You can find her living life as “just a mom who likes to write” over on instagram @rodfamily007.

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash