God's Order... My Chaos

I have been thinking a lot about chaos versus order in this New Year.  I wish it was as easy as simply pushing a button, unfortunately it is not.

As I started 2013, I felt like God was asking me to bring more order into my chaotic life.  I found myself longing for the days when I had life "more together" with family meals planned, an orderly house, laundry done, daily quiet time with God, exercise routine, etc.  As I thought about those days, I realized I had one school age child, one preschooler and a baby.  That should have been the time I struggled most with holding life together, but for whatever reason I was more on top of things.  I still don't completely know when life starting falling apart... I think it was a series of issues - life altering events, physical issues, or perhaps just my own destructive thoughts.  Anyway, as the calendar turned over a new month and new year, God was speaking directly to me, challenging me, encouraging me, sustaining me as I attempted to "turn over a new leaf".

As you may have gathered from several postings, I have been reading in the Old Testament.  As I've read, I've approached several books of the bible with great fear and trembling... my heart desperately wanted to understand what God's word was saying, but like many who've gone before me, I struggle with reading certain books because they seem unrelate able for the current age.  Ezekiel was one of those books for me.  I finished reading the book about a week ago and learned that it is completely relate able for this current age.  In the last several chapters of Ezekiel, God is revealing to Ezekiel, through a vision, of how He ordained the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.  I was struck with how God systematically ordered each aspect of the building -- there was no chaos in his blueprint, only order and purpose.

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

I am slowly learning to operate out of order.  I continue to struggle, especially when life isn't going according to plan (my plan).  I have days when I just want to curl up on the couch and forget the needs of my family, pretend that my body is still that of an 18 year old and doesn't need exercise, or that my day doesn't need to include God... surely He'd understand my busyness or feelings of being overwhelmed?!?

As I've pushed through the negative feelings and forced myself to do the next best thing, I've found that it is easier to choose order over chaos.  I like the benefits that come with order... I like the joy I feel in a right relationship with God. I like the body that is getting healthier. I like the happiness I see on my family's face when I've prepared a meal they enjoy.  I like knowing there isn't going to be mornings of panic because someone doesn't have clean underwear.  I like order over chaos.

So, you may be asking yourself, what does this have to do with kids in the public school?  A LOT, is my answer!  When we model right behavior and actions to our kids, it gives them the freedom to do the same.  I don't know about you, but I sure have a few kids under my roof who could use a lesson or two in order.

But all things should be done decently and in order.  

(1 Corinthians 14:40)

 

For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.  (Colossians 2:5)