Overwhelmed

This morning I read one of the most well-known passages in the Bible.

I've read it countless times,

but today...

today I needed the freedom in that passage to consume me.

To take me over. To overwhelm me.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith 

 and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 

 not by works, so that no one can boast. 

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 

which God prepared in advance for us to do." 

Ephesians 2:8-9

Because the truth is, I've been overwhelmed by all sorts of things lately.

Overwhelmed by the hurt and brokenness

Overwhelmed with earthly things, earthly concepts, earthly feelings

Overwhelmed with callings and convictions

Overwhelmed with work and to do lists and perfectionism

Overwhelmed with good things that aren't necessarily better or best

Overwhelmed with my sin
Overwhelmed with new ideas and new passions

Overwhelmed with joy

Overwhelmed with emotion

Overwhelmed with some good things

and some bad.

But none as powerful as the Truth above.

I am saved.

Entirely by grace

Through an active, every-growing, ever-stretching faith

Not by my works  

But by His

Saved for a purpose

To glorify God

in the ways He's called me to.

Grateful.  

A Typical Day

If you followed me around for a day

from when I rose to when I fell asleep again,

you'd know...

I don't get up as soon as my alarm goes off anymore. I snooze a good ten minutes.

I browse Facebook or Instagram while I wait for my shower water to warm up in the morning.

My only takes a few seconds to warm up.

I listen to the Today show every morning.

I'm a morning person. Jeremiah is not.

I am kind of looney. 

I rarely set out my lunch or the outfit the night before.

I eat the lunch of an 8 year old: apple slices, turkey and cheese rollups, trail mix...

I stop at Starbucks some mornings just to see the group of men who study God's Word together there.

I tend to start my work day with a devotional time.

I started journaling my quiet times in the same notebook that I keep track of my work To Do list - in an effort to blend those two worlds.

I quickly forget what I studied and I struggle to reflect the Lord.

I'm inspired by other people's stories, but I also live in the tension between comparison and contentment.

I put earbuds in my ears often, but rarely turn on any music.

The Lord's growing my generosity.

I'd probably be better off if my degree had been in Juggling, Taxi Driving or Mediation.

I spend all day with people. But it's pretty lonely.

Relationships are important to me. 

I typically use my commute home to pray for people or to talk to them on the phone.

I rarely go straight home after work.

But I light my candles as soon as I get there. Every day is worth celebrating.

I like to try new recipes. 

I'm not very good at relaxing.

I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. Usually at 10 o'clock.