These last days in the US have been overwhelming, too much to do and too little time. What do we do when we feel overwhelmed?
I haven't had to move very much in my life. I moved to the US when I was 14 years old. My parents bought a house in San Leandro and they loved that house...well, they loved the backyard of the house. So we lived there growing up. I moved out when I got married, first to Pleasanton and when my son Caleb was born, we moved to Fremont, CA. We have been here for 27 years. My kids have been the lucky ones who have had certain best friends all of their lives. That's the way I wanted them to grow up. I have been deeply rooted here so moving was emotional and there was so much stuff to go through. Yikes.... I've had quite a lot of stuff to do during this last stretch.
Probably the most time-consuming tasks have been going through the nonessentials. Emptying out my study room was definitely the hardest because I spend the most time there. Emptying out each drawer full of stuff and making decisions what to do with each item can be very draining. But I did because the alternative is just dumping all the contents in the garbage, and I know that's not what I want. Gosh, there were days when I worked from 3am-8pm, and I felt super overwhelmed and exhausted. In the US, there are so many choices, it's hard to make decisions all the time and figure out what needed to be done. So I thought I write a bit about it, also to remind myself next time I feel overwhelmed by life.
1) I remind myself that we have a BIG God! I grew up not having much adult guidance, so I tend to think it all depends on me. If I don't do it, it won't get done. Since I am the oldest of three and my parents were gone most of the days, I was put in charge and had responsibilities that most 14-year-olds didn't have. I was self-sufficient, hardworking and responsible. But when it comes to my relationship with God, this is my downfall. Some battles belong to God and I need to be still and depend on Him. God told Moses to be still and know that He is God. God didn't need his help parting the Red Sea. God is a powerful God who can solve all my problems. He can create the world in 6 days and he can destroy 185000 enemy soldiers at one time. There is nothing He cannot do. If I only focus on all that I can do, I lose sight of God. He is with me! He is helping me to solve my problems and deal with my stuff. In the midst of all the things that needed to get done, look up and see that God is big enough to handle it all. We just need to trust Him.
2) Be grateful for what has happened and what will happen. Being grateful shouldn't just happen on Thanksgiving or when good things happen. Each day I start my day with gratitude, and especially when I feel overwhelmed. This one single habit has changed my life the most. If I look for it, every moment I can find something to be grateful for. The key is I need to be looking for it. I don't need to only focus on my list or things that needed to get done. There are blessings all throughout the day that perhaps I haven't seen. It's good to pause and say Thank You, God. Though saying Goodbye is very difficult, I am so grateful for all the good friends and family who loved on me. I have heard some of the most beautiful words spoken in these last days.... almost as good as things you hear in my funeral. The kind and beautiful words I will cherish in my heart and carry with me for life. Thank you, friends. I am thankful for all of you. Each of you have made a wonderful difference in my life.
In the Bible, King Hezekiah put the choir to thank God before the battle began. We can give thanks for things not yet happened; it's called faith. I thank God that I have found a new homes for all of my furniture and belongings, and things I have left are not a burden to my kids. I thank God that my son Caleb will be raising his family in my home. I don't know what God has for me in Taiwan, but I thank God that it will be good. He will partner with me there and the best is yet to come. I thank God for technology and that Pearl is helping me get on social media. I thank God for all the good people I will be meeting and will be part of my life in Taiwan. I thank God that He will keep me safe and protect me from harm when I travel.
Today is the day I fly to Taiwan. There is much to be done. But I will focus on what God is able to do and give thanks in all things. Next time I will write to you my dear friends from another part of the world!
Add comment
Comments