{Restful Souls}

The past couple of weeks have felt completely overwhelming. I have struggled with exhaustion, fatigue, and a to-do list pages long. Looking at my schedule the next couple of weeks, I don’t see anything slowing down soon. (Well, at least until my white coat ceremony in late July.) Lately, even enjoyable activities have become to feel burdensome.

How often do you feel something similar?

What should we do to lighten our load?

What does The Lord say about being overwhelmed and “heavy laden?”

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

I don’t know about you, but Matthew 11:28-30 sums it up. Upon reading this passage, I felt an immediate calm and considered myself “lighter.” The Lord wants us to cast our burdens to him and find rest in his love. He wants us to know that he would not bring us through anything that we could not handle with his help. It is so comforting to know that we have a father who is so GENTLE, LOVING, and STRONG who is willing to take our burdens and provide rest for our souls.

I have no need to feel overwhelmed, but for a second. I need to make a more conscious effort to take these items to The Lord as soon as I feel them. The Lord wants take my burdens and he wants to take yours. I am challenging myself (and you) to make a cognizant effort to not feel burdened longer than we need to and take our concerns to The Lord. 

"A Time for Everything"

Timing.

Does anyone else ever feel like they are lagging behind or pulling ahead too quickly? Do you ever feel like your timeline just isn't right?

I always feel that my timeline isn't matching up with those of my friends and family. I am CONSTANTLY aware that I am not yet engaged, a member of the work force, and that I have not lost the last 10 pesky pounds residing in my hips. It is too bad that I’m not CONFIDENT in the fact that God has placed me in a wonderful relationship with a Godly man, has allowed me the opportunity to learn and participate in graduate school, and has granted me with a healthy and able body that can put in the work to achieve fitness goals. On a more SERIOUS note, I constantly worry about what the future will bring and how timing will play out.

Throughout my adult years, I have seen God’s timing work in beautiful ways (1811 Woodsman roommates *hint hint*). His timing is ALWAYS PERFECT and he has never once let me down. Even in the times I have felt completely abandoned and out of control, I have been saved and pulled back into his arms at just the perfect time.

When I need perspective, I wish I said that I always went to the Bible first. I often find myself searching for answers from my family, friends, and even the Internet. I am currently working on making the conscious effort to get back into the habit of flipping through the gold edged pages of my Bible for the answers.

Now. Back to Timing. Where can I find information about timing?

Ecclesiastes is always a solid place for me to gain perspective on how much The Lord values HIS TIMELINE, especially Ecclesiastes 3.

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God.14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. 15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account. 16 And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment--wickedness was there, in the place of justice--wickedness was there. 17 I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed." 18 I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. 19 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?" 22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?
Ecclesiastes 3, New International Version

Top 3 Items Gleaned from Ecclesiastes 3:

1.    GOD HAS MY TIMELINE UNDER CONTROL. He has ensured a time and place for everything.

2.    GOD WANTS ME TO BE JOYFUL, not to worry about my timeline. He doesn't want me to worry about the “should” and the “wants.” My fretting will not make God’s timing anymore perfect or arrive any sooner or later than it should.

3.    GOD MAKES EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL. Even the things in my timeline that I wish had never occurred. They are woven intricately into my story and testimony to help others come to The Lord.

Thank you all for diving into Ecclesiastes 3 with me. I would love to hear your comments and thoughts about this beautiful passage!

Introducing "Stethoscopes, Labs, & Miles"

Why stethoscopes? 

I am currently a PA Student at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Pursuing a career in medicine has always been a passion of mine and I am lucky/blessed to one day be able to serve in the physician assistant role. Funny stories, PA school fashion (#whitecoatdays), and general information regarding the life of a PA student (#BCMPATweets) will be highlighted on the Blog. 

Why labs? 

I have a 2 year old Yellow Labrador Retriever names Samson. As I am without children, I consider him my "fur-baby." His favorite things involve going to the park, sniffing out rabbits, and watching TV with mom. Lets consider the "labs" part of this Blog a "Samson brag-book!" 

Why miles? 

I have recently picked back up long runs (and have about lost 20 pounds). I am not a exercise physiology expert, but I will be posting my favorite workouts (possible results?) and snacks on the Blog! 

Please know that I am SO APPRECIATIVE of EVERYBODY reading and following this Blog! My hope is that is brings joy to your life.