Caught up

(that's not "caught up" in a beneficial way - like I was behind, but now I'm caught up - rather, "caught up" in thinking/stressing about circumstances or future events that I have little to no control over. awesome.)

I didn't think September has been an especially busy month - until I realized there are only 7 days left, yikes. BUT, because God is so merciful, I realized where I've been getting hung up - I haven't been taking life one. day. at. a. time. It's been more like I've looked at the entire week ahead of me and decided to plunge right into it...all the while counting down & planning for other events that are at least a month away. No wonder I've been feeling stressed out...I'm all for calendars and planning ahead, but this morning's new mercies are meant for September 23rd - not October 23rd. (You know? Like I've got grace for today's to-do list...not next month's.)
What makes me tremble, is that being too forward-focused has caused me to miss out on opportunities God had for me to bless someone else. But now, there's no time and no need to wallow in self-deprecation and regret...because my Father has a better way!

Psalm 138

Of David.

¹ I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
before the "gods" I will sing your praise.

² I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.

³ When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.

⁴ May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth.

⁵ May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great.

⁶ Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly,
but the proud he knows from afar.

⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me.

⁸ The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.

praise the Lord...thankful that the people aren't perfect, but His plan is!
AND, still chewing on Revelation 2:5 (from our Beth Moore study yesterday)~ *spoiler alert: these are some pg20 fill-in-the-blanks* ;)

Revelation 2:5 (NIV)
Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Remember --> Repent --> Return to those first things

Thank you Jesus for the process of Your plans. As I walk in patient, joyful, perseverance - open my eyes, ears and heart to grasp Your larger picture, and how You desire to love others through me....keep me flexible according to Your Word! (haha, and thank you for the evident reminders that I just asked for that!)
Another timely word - found this morning on a friend's blog, regarding God's desire for us to "un-clutter" our lives.

"Now is the time to push back the clutter and distractions of life that are occupying your time and space and draining away your energy. God is asking His people to unclutter their lives where His Spirit can set down and do extraordinary things. Remove the clutter and distractions and welcome the coming of the Lord."
- Garris Elkins