String Theory

 

Okay, so I'm a math and science nerd. I taught middle school math and did the coursework for a minor in math, just for fun. It's been a lifelong love relationship. I say that to warn you that I am super curious about science and math topics. I am a casual student of quantum theories, too. (Very casual. lol) 

String theory is the supposition that the universe is made up of a series of minuscule vibrating strings. They connect throughout the universe. But I have a different string theory. It came about this week as i was standing in the kitchen. I thought, I can get on my (paid) work projects after I finish this. But then, I realized I had another loose end that needed to be tied off before I could get to “real” work. 

No sooner did I have that thought than it led to just one more thing that had to be done. I realized mentally, I'd just planned the entire afternoon, with no time left for actual paid work. This is a daily exercise, I'm finding. Lol. 

As caregivers, we are easily overwhelmed with all that has to be done in a day. I'm pretty sure that we are never done. We just stop because our bodies wear out, tire out, or demand sleep. Our just one more thing can go on all day... Am I right? 

Overwhelm is an understatement when it comes to caregiving.

I've been studying two people this week. One is Zacchaeus, who figured out how to get away from his crowded day to see Jesus. He made a plan. Ran ahead. Climbed a tree. All of this just so he could get away from the crowd that was blocking his view of Jesus.

The second person is Moses. He didn't have to fight a crowd of people, as he was on the backside of the wilderness. But he still had to fight through a crowd of thoughts so he could stop and turn aside to see what God was doing.

Whether we are overcome and overstimulated by crowds of people, or we are being crowded out of our own minds by social isolation, we gotta do what we need to do to see Him.  

Jesus saw Zacchaeus. He knew the effort Zach put into being able to see Him, even if from a distance up in a tree. 

God saw Moses. He knew Moses was hiding out because he murdered a man. God saw when Moses turned aside to see the burning bush. God met Moses in the moment that he turned aside. 

We can do what we need to do to see Him in our day-to-day, too. If we go back to our string theory thoughts, we still have a choice. We can follow those strings of thought and end up in a bad spot mentally. Depressed. Overcome. Underwhelmed and overwhelmed at the thought of unending necessary tasks. Or, we can grab hold of another string of thoughts and let them take us right to the heart of God. Like Moses dropped his rod in the sand, we can drop the line of thinking that submerges us in emotions and struggle. Then, we can pick up thoughts from God's word that can strengthen us to get things done and keep our eyes on Him at the same time. Easy? No. Doable. Absolutely. He's waiting for us like God waited for Moses. He sees us like Jesus saw the extra effort taken by Zacchaeus. 

Today, I will remind myself that social isolation doesn't discourage God from chasing after me. I'll also think about how He is not put of, discouraged, or dismayed at the crowd (whether that's people or thoughts!). He will find us. He will reach for us. I intend to let Him find me today. Will you join me?

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Affirmations for Caregivers

I wrote Affirmations for Caregivers because it was what I needed to hear! This 31-day journal includes 31 scripturally based affirmations. Each day, the affirmation is followed by a short writing prompt and a verse or two to read. I also have videos on YouTube that coincide with each day's affirmation.