Peaceful Pace
I can’t say it was “road rage” I was feeling… more like “street stunned!” I gripped the steering wheel and reassured my perplexed mini-van that everything would be ok. With a laundry list of things to do in a condensed period of time, following a car traveling 13 mph UNDER the speed limit certainly was not helping matters.
13 mph under. Why, sir? I didn’t understand this behavior. And the most confusing part of all – the car was a Porsche. True story. I thought those things could move!
Without a safe way around him, I had no choice but to trail the luxury turtlemobile for many miles. Eventually, I had to laugh and just go with it.
Truth be told, I could use this guided crawl more often. Such a change from the constant running, rushing, multi-tasking, checking things off a list, and looking at the clock. There was much to be said for my very own pace car! Something to jump right in my path with bold permission to slow down.
A timely reminder.
With summer in full gear, many of the things I would consider my “pace cars” often take a back seat for the season. I’m not as consistent with my morning walk and prayer time without the structure of the school schedule. My weekly bible study is finished until September. Our church attendance gets a bit sketchy with weekends away. And I don’t take as much time in the evenings to refresh or catch up with my husband because the kids go to bed later.
All of these small changes add up to a giant lack of balance and a loud reminder that our pace greatly impacts our peace.
Whether it is because of a shift in our routines or an overwhelming schedule, it’s tempting to let go of the things that keep us centered and set a healthy speed for our days. It may seem like found time to skip the yoga class or bag our cherished quiet time with God to add in more tasks, but we eventually just end up depleted.
If you’re feeling like you need to hit the brakes as well, join me this week in prioritizing a peaceful pace. My first step is to recommit to waking up early enough to enjoy my walk and prayer time before the day races off. How about you? What keeps you centered? I would love to hear your strategies and ideas.
Have a great week and we’ll walk again soon. I’m so thankful for all of you and the opportunity to process life here. A treasured “pace car” for sure!
“Frazzled nerves and wearied bodies are restored in the solitude of My presence. My peace can seep in when stillness allows that. You provide the stillness, the coming away with Me, and I will provide the peace and restoration… Allow Me to restore and fill you completely so that you can meet the demands of your day.” Judy Gordon Morrow – The Listening Heart: Hearing God in Prayer
July 6, 2016 at 1:50 pm
Once again, you brighten my day! I started to laugh at remembering when I was behind this car with the license plates “JAZZ 2 go” (I think that’s it)…and he hit the brakes continuously all the way, and he was going maybe 20mph—I was furiously trying to get to school, and had to finally pass him…then the second time and a third time, I recognized the plates again in front of me…I said OH NO, but this time, I stayed behind him all the way to Patton, and then he turned into the bus depot…he was one of the bus drivers:)…Moral of this story–I had his schedule, and knew I had to leave sooner to get to the pick up line to avoid being behind him. BTW: Have seen these plates driving on Country Club Rd during one of my walks….he’s out to get me calmed down!