What We Need When We Are a Hot Mess

I was amused when one of my friends said “I’m a hot mess” – which meant not only is she dealing with the symptoms of “the change of life”, but she was also loaded up with so much to do and feeling so inadequate at the things she was doing.

Speaking of a “hot mess”, my car thermometer indicated 108 degrees outside yesterday. This comes after a long stretch without rain and several consecutive days in the lower hundreds. The heat interrupted our plans (my grandchildren and I) to go to Six Flags Over Texas. Instead, we went to Chuck-E-Cheese and to see a movie – all indoor comfort!

We complain about how hot we get by just going to our air-conditioned car to the air-conditioned building. A quick walk to our mailbox is no problem as long as we don’t stop to talk to a friend there. Fortunately, we have an “inside” to retreat to. While my sprinkler system repair man was showing me the areas that needed to be repaired, in a matter of just a few minutes, I was dehydrated and sweating.

In the midst of our world-class whining, we might consider how blessed we are in our “conditioned” comfort – especially as we develop a fresh awareness and compassion for those who live without the many comforts and conveniences we enjoy. Far too many of our brothers and sisters live without air-conditioning in summer and heat in winter, let alone a home to call their own. I may sweat through every item of clothing I own, but I will not die.

My wealth extends far beyond my material possessions and everyday comforts, but too often I forget -- especially when struggles or challenges come; when I experience a few body aches and don’t get enough sleep at night, when folks around me are having a meltdown, and, most of all, when there are future unknowns that cause me to sweat with anxiety and concern, I know I have forgotten God’s presence that is my shelter or shade even in the middle of scorching heat. I may sweat, but I won’t burn.

“Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything, the glory will be a canopy. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.” Isaiah 4:5

God is our shelter, our shade in the heat and covering in the storm, but nowhere are we promised we’ll escape the heat and rain. God’s presence with us doesn’t mean He’ll spare us every inconvenience and struggle, every pain and discomfort. Instead, His nearness means we have somewhere to retreat and rest and hide, even when life's "stuff" comes our way.

Like a mountain that cannot be moved, God’s presence is steadfast. That means you and I can either set our focus on the temperature gauge or learn to lean into the One who offers His shade. By the way, I just checked the weather. Turns out it’s going to be even hotter tomorrow. But tomorrow is too far away to make worry worth the effort. Today has enough to handle. And besides, God’s presence is my shelter, His glory is my canopy. In spite of the heat, I’ll be okay. He is with me. Whether I’m a hot sweaty mess or not. You too, friend. You, too.

Subject to CHANGE Daily

I'm pulling my "female" card. Yes, I am a woman and I am subject to CHANGE daily. I can CHANGE my mind about this or that. I can CHANGE clothes – just because I want to. I can CHANGE occupations (and I did). I’m also a “single” so I can CHANGE TV channels whenever I so choose. Widow bonus! I can CHANGE directions if I want to (That gal in my GPS system really doesn’t know it all!). The fact is life is about CHANGE.

CHANGE – to alter, replace with another, make a shift from one to another, modify, transform, switch

Every day we experience CHANGE. You may be in that mid-life crisis aka “the change of life” stage if you're eyeing that slick convertible sports car. You may be considering moving to another city and state. CHANGE is a reminder of what it is for a season to end and a new one begin. How often have I witnessed the passing of a friend or loved one and within hours or days, in the same family, was the birth of a precious baby. That is the CHANGE and the cycle of life.

Here’s the really good news. God assures us He’s watching over all our seasons of CHANGE – all our entrances and exits: in exiting high school and entering college, in ending single life to begin married life, in leaving one job to begin another, in checking the "married" box to the "single" or "widow" box. Even in the animal kingdom, we see changes. A couple of days ago, I saw my grandson’s gecko shedding his skin – he was CHANGING. Bottom line -- among all the exits and entrances and all the in-betweens, life, in any form….is just temporary.

We can throw a tantrum, a pity party, a protest, a sit-in, a march, stay in bed and cover our heads, put our heads in the sand, wail, jump up and down and we can resist the CHANGES, but all the while, God probably shakes His head as He thinks “Why do my kids get so caught up on so much that is just temporary?” There is one guarantee in life…..CHANGE will happen. Change is something we tend to fear and become anxious about because we feel out of control. But we have this blessed assurance. God NEVER changes. "I am the Lord, and I do not CHANGE.” Malachi 3:6. He walks with us in every season of life -- no matter how easy or difficult. We can choose to accept CHANGE because God has a plan for our lives – to give us hope and a great future, and to prosper us. If we trust in God and allow the CHANGE to grow us to become more like Him in how we respond and act, then we are promised that “Everything will work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

God orders our days. He knows the seasons we are exiting from and He also knows those we are about to enter. It’s a new day – yesterday is gone. Why don’t we awaken to the assurance that He KNOWS ALL and if we’ll board His ways, we’ll travel higher, further and safer than we could ever imagine. I think I hear Him saying to us “I’ve got this so let go and let Me carry you through each CHANGE. Relax. Enjoy the ride. Trust Me!” Rather than resisting CHANGE – let’s embrace it and fly higher than we’ve ever been before!