Take Out Da Noise! I'm In A Funk!

If I hear "Momma" one more time today, well, I'm still momma! Today just like any other day has been filled with noise, nothing but noise. I woke up to the phone ringing informing me what the Dish guy would be here for installation. Naturally, that woke the rest of the household up. All  throughout the day, the cries of the little ones, the TV noise, the dogs barking, the rumbling of the teenager's music upstairs, Marli screaming for me because Keith had a seizure, sounds of the town when I was doing errands. Sometimes you just notice every little thing.

"Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves." Mark 6:30-32

 

My head is full of noise. It seems anything and everything is twenty decibels of what is naturally possible. I don't want to hear the sound of the dryer kicking off letting me know the one millionth load of laundry is done. I don't want to hear footsteps. I don't want to hear music, the teenager's or any other kind for that matter. I don't want to hear voices. And yes, I'm including real voices and the ones in my head. Judge if you must. I don't want hear anything! Well, okay, maybe two things...either Publisher's Clearing House telling me I have won $5,000 a week for a lifetime or Gabriel's trumpet.

 

Can anybody testify with me? There is so much noise in our worlds, and for me, at least, sometimes it pushes me to my limits. I just want the noise to go away and to be in complete silence. Sometimes running away is such a tempting idea.  A counselor told me one time that when there is too much noise that I need to find my "happy place." He said just for thirty seconds or longer if the situation would allow. I think basically this is the new twist on "count backwards from 100." It could be any place, whether I've been there or not. I have a few. During the day, when it sounds like I am surrounded by jackhammers, I go the beach to drown out the noise. I close my eyes and hear the waves coming and going. I smell the salty air. I don't even mind the annoying sea gulls because their sounds confirm that I am a wonderful place. 

 

When my voice cannot be heard above everyone else's, I go to the shores of Galilee and sit and talk with Jesus. It is one of the most calming places I go. It's just me, Jesus, and the quiet sounds of the sea. Occasionally we do a little star gazing and He tells me the story of how each one was created. He reminds me of all that He has taught me, and that He never leaves me. We talk for a minute or two and He sends me back to my job. I go here often when I just need a break. Not because my world is swirling in chaos, but because I just need a rest. When I can go outside and watch the kids play, this gives me a minute to visit the shore and catch up with Jesus on prayer requests and some Word. One of my favorites.

 

Now, when I'm scared and shaking in my boots, I go straight to the throne. I put on my puppy dog eyes and ask my Daddy if I can sit in His lap for a while. He never says no. He picks me and holds so tenderly like a loving father would. He lets me sit in His lap and cry it all out. He consoles me and assures me that He has everything in control. As long as it takes me, He holds me and hums sweet melodies in my ear. He wipes my tears away, and if one falls, He catches it in His hand. Mmmmm, works every time for me. I've been going to throne more often lately with all the fear that I have with Keith having these seizures and the financial consequences we are going to face. He reminds  that He has everything in His hands. As a matter of fact, I should look to see where I am at that moment.

"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16

Hebrews 4 gives us this invitation, a very hefty invitation to visit the throne, with boldness and confidence. You see, we are not be afraid of approaching this throne. This High Priest as it states is one of us. It states in ALL points he was tried and tested, so nothing will embarrass Him and nothing will make him call you names. It states there in the text there is mercy to be had and that there is grace to help us in the time of need. Well, I need a lot of both and Imma going to get me some of it. Who's wit me?

 

It may sound like the "happy places" are a figment of my imagination, but I assure they are real. That beach is real. I lived there once. It is a precious memory that I hold on to so that I can live there again one day. The shores of Galilee are real, and Jesus did sit there and talk with his friends, his disciples. I'm just photo cropping myself in two thousand years later. And His throne, oh, you better believe He's on it. And we as believers have the luxury of going there any time we need to. He is just waiting on us to come to him. And from what I understand, the invitation is being underused so I don't have problems with reservations. It's a walk-ins welcome gig right now.

 

Tonight I am throne-bound. I have a ton of worries that I need to cry out and I need to be held a little bit by my Daddy. I am in desparate need of his mercy and grace. I need someone to tell me it's going to be "okay" and that He is going to handle it all. I need my Daddy to be there for ME, the one HE chose, and show me love I need and to make this old world disappear for just a little while.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and you will learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest in your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  Matthew 11: 28-30