My favorite breakfast place opened this weekend, where I can enjoy breakfast at a table overlooking the vast expanse of the North Atlantic.   I took the morning off today in order to visit this breakfast spot.  I had extra time to meditate on “life and Godliness” as I drank my coffee  Usually on Monday mornings  Wyndham is with me, but due to an unexpected semi-emergency he needed to take care of, I went by myself (well, God was with me.) As the only patron in the restaurant (this is the very early season) I appreciated the opportunity to practice the scripture in Psalm 46:10-11

“Be still, and know that I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth.” [11] The Lord Almighty is with us: the God of Jacob is our fortress.    Selah

So often, life moves at such a pace that it is hard to just be still and reflect on who God is.  I thought of how He shows Himself through Jesus as our Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace.  As I thought through those apropos depictions of my God I felt so grateful for all of these ways that He interacts with me.

As I sipped my coffee while looking out over the expanse of blue,  my eyes caught sight of something outside of the window that I must say,  I have never seen before.   A man was jogging; however as he was jogging he was also juggling 3 or 4 tennis balls.  He didn’t miss a stride, or a tennis ball.  I was amazed.  I hate jogging, and it takes every ounce of concentration and determination I can muster to keep moving.  Yet, this guy was not only moving at a rapid pace, but his juggling seemed effortless.  (He was too fast for me to catch with my camera.)  

I laughed (to myself since no one else was there) thinking about the contrast of what I was doing and what he was doing.  I also thought of how he portrayed how life so often feels.  Often, I can feel like I am juggling while running.  I don’t think I am unusual in(figuratively) trying to keep numerous balls in the air without dropping them, while at the same time running from one thing to the next.

I need the strength of the Mighty God, the wisdom of the Wonderful Counselor, the steadiness of the Everlasting Father and the trust in the Prince of Peace to be able to combine the stillness of soul that I felt as I looked out of the window –  with the crazy activity of running and juggling that I viewed from that same window.

After finishing  breakfast  I took a long walk so I could pray, smell the salt air, feel the breeze and watch the ocean waves push against the protruding rocks. As I prayed about many different things, I thought of the times I get busy running and juggling.   Two scriptures often ground me and help me discern whether or not my running and juggling is “too much.”  I thought on these scriptures as I walked and prayed.

The first is one I must read often, as I tend to be more like Martha and yet need to like Mary, choose what is best.  Luke 10:38-42

    As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. [39] She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. [40] But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

    [41] “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, [42] but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

This following scripture helps me discern whether or not my busyness is merely activity, or if it is in keeping with seeking first God’s choices and desires.  Matthew 6:33-34

    But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I pray that as I juggle and jog in my daily activities, I will see God for who He really is – and that my purpose, priorities and desires are united with His.  Then, amidst the busyness, I can be still and know that He is God.