It was a week of STUFF--good stuff, not-so-good stuff, silly stuff, and mostly crazy stuff! If you're a parent, getting your children ready for back-to-school, you know exactly what I mean. There's the bookbags, the 3-prong folders, the pocket folders, the TrapperKeepers; there's the Nikes (and as I priced them, I was saying, Yikes the Nikes!), the school clothing, the haircuts, the permission slips, the information sheets, the updated shots records--STUFF!
By the time the first day of school arrives, you're STUFFED up and STUFFED out! And THAT'S just being a parent. For if you also happen to be a homemaker (a natural, logical perception!!), you've got laundry stuff, and rec room stuff; kitchen stuff, and yet-unnamed stuff! Open the garage, and if you're getting ready for a fall garage sale, you've REALLY got STUFF!
Now there are some NORMAL "stuffs" such as stuffed turkey , stuffed pillows, and stuffed animals, and what home doesn't have stuffed closets and drawers! It's all the STUFF of life--very much a part of being a human on planet earth, whether you're a homemaker, spouse, career person, or senior. But, wait a minute--that's not ALL the stuff of life--for hidden deep inside us all, there's MORE stuff--and that's what this devotional is all about! Come to the Well and let's see!
A Helping Word...or Two!
Small Stuff!
Life is full of small stuff...a traffic signal that stops you in mid-flight down the avenue; the longest grocery check-out line in the store; a missed bus, a forgotten lunch; a friend who forgets your birthday; a husband who forgets your anniversary (heaven forbid!!); a wrinkle, not on your clothes, but on your FACE; a lost waistline and girlish figure (now I've gone to meddlin', I know); a mosquito in your almost-silent bedroom; bottle caps that won't open; plastic bags that won't close--the list goes on and on. Annoyances, aggravations, irritations, disappointments--nothing to start World War 3, but enough to rattle emotions, as one by one, they pile on top of each other. Small stuff overload!
Now we're Christians, and we should always be on top of the small stuff, right? Wrong! We're HUMANS, and imperfect saints under construction. Don't beat yourself down for blowing it. Just get up (praying as you rise!!), and get going again! The enemy of your soul would LOVE to defeat you in the SMALL STUFF of your life, but there IS a place in the Lord we can strive for, where small stuff of life becomes less and less stressful, where we put things into proper perspective. For really, in the light of eternity, what's an extra minute at a signal or a check-out line? Let's ask the Lord to help us relax in Him--and if you're a "type-A" personality, it's gonna be harder--but it IS possible, with HIS help. Let's believe it, cast our "small stuff," moment by moment on the LORD, and get on with joyful living for Him!
Big Stuff!
Life is full of big stuff, and it hits every family at some point in their lives. There's the heartbreak of divorce, the sadness of broken relationships, the tightness of finances, the tragedies of unexplained events, the sorrows of terminal illness, the struggle of handicaps, the finalities of loss and death. You can probably add to this list your own personal "big stuff" problem. Each family has its own story to tell.
Now we're Christians, and we should always be on top of the BIG STUFF, right? Wrong! We're human--and it hurts. Don't beat yourself down further for experiencing pain, asking questions, and feeling unspiritual! The enemy of your soul would LOVE to bring you to the darkness of HELL over the BIG STUFF in your life, but don't let him. Cling to God's promises, His everlasting love and plan; you don't HAVE to know all the answers; you just need to know HIM! He loves you; He walks with you THROUGH the valley--there WILL be peace as you trust Him.
Over-Stuff!
I'm not talking about your favorite easy chair; I'm talking about your heart--overstuffed with the small and big things of life--you've held it all inside, until you are ready to explode. And explode you will, unless you give it to the Lord. Years of piling up the little and the big hurts of life will smother you; depression, anger, unforgiveness will kill you! You MUST let it go--not in your own strength, but in the strength of the Lord.
How? DON'T let it pile up!! Have you ever been to the ocean and watched the tide bring STUFF in along the shoreline? Seaweed and shells; garbage and treasures--from the depths of the ocean, it comes to be washed away onto the shore. And that's what the Lord wants to do in your life. As you let it go daily, (and THAT'S what it takes!), He will wash it ashore, and you will once again experience the depth and stillness of His love.
Over 30 years of marriage has taught me that there is a depth of love that the STUFF of life cannot destroy--it rises to the surface, rears its selfish head--and has to leave. For deep below the surface emotions and hurts of life is a love that is consistent beyond any ruffled waves or polluted surface! And so it is with our relationship with the Lord. Deep within our hearts, we know His love--and it is stronger than tides that surface the STUFF of life--it is eternal, and it is OURS to receive.
Small stuff, big stuff, overstuff--it's all covered by the Lord--when HE is Lord! And that's the secret, for when He is Lord, He will help you deal with life and ALL its stuff. In practical ways--(1) He'll reveal Himself in His Word and as you seek Him in prayer; (2) He'll send you dear friends to share the burden with you, love you, and pray for you; (3) He'll give you a sense of humor to handle it with a smile--even when you've had a bad day, He'll help you find something FUNNY in it--and it will lighten the load! (4) He'll show you other practical ways to take care of the stuff--maybe it's a needed apology, regular exercise, or weight loss (ouch!)--whatever it is, He will gently impress it upon your mind. For He loves you--He wants to lighten the load--let Him do it!
And that's just a word or two--from my heart to yours!
His Healing Word "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6 KJV)
"Lord, my life is full of stuff--small stuff, big stuff, and overstuff! I need a garage-cleaning of the soul. Please help me in the small and big moments of my life to give it all to you! Emptied of stuff, then let me be filled with You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
