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This summer hasn’t gone like I had hoped it would. Lest I sound like I am complaining, I have had a summer that has been filled with blessings. And yet, despite the blessings – the reality is that my summer has been “full.” I am not a person who cares for “full.” I live much of my life in that category, but I am not really a fan of living that way. I would prefer to have more downtime. Summer is typically my chance to get my chill on and recharge for the next school year.

This summer has not really been a recharging summer. Between moving (which turns out to be an enormous undertaking these days) to taking scheduled vacation trips which fell into a crazy timeline because of the move, I am sitting in the last days of summer feeling tired. (Dare I say, exhausted?)

Friend, part of the challenge for me, I have realized is that I must train my brain to stay focused on the good and the blessings of God instead of defaulting to the problems and challenges that arise that so easily steal my joy.

I had a perfect opportunity to practice this present itself this past week while Barry and I were with friends in Seattle. While we were there, I received an email on my phone. It was a work email, so I read it. It was a summons from the Department of Education and the Office of Civil Rights. What was it about? The family of the most violent student I have yet worked with has filed a lawsuit against the district and I was named.

I was not blind to the accusations. I had heard two years ago that the family had planned to do this, I have, however, not heard anything until I received the email on our Seattle trip. Immediately, my brain was struggling to stay in the moment. I kept wanting to default to worry and I frankly, I wanted to be home. Home – where I could withdraw from everyone and sit in the stew while I process what is happening.

Why was I, a woman who knows God is with me – protecting me, leading me, guiding me – allowing myself to be pulled out of the moment and into a place of discouragement, anger, and fear? I know better. Or perhaps a more accurate statement is: I know God better.

It turns out, even as I sit writing this, I have come to the realization that home isn’t in Springfield! Home is in Heaven! And while I just want to be home, it isn’t time for me to go there yet.

God wants me, as He wants all of us, to be anxious about nothing. He wants us to give praise in everything. So I have a choice to make. Will I be anxious? Or will I give praise in the midst of yet another opportunity for God to reveal Himself?

Part of praising God happens when I allow myself to stay in the moment. God will give me an opportunity to witness for Him. God will not send me into any situation that He has not already gone before me.

This morning I am borrowing the words of King David and claiming them as my own: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.” (2 Samuel 22: 2b-3) “But in my distress, I cried out to the LORD; yes, I cried out to my God for help. He heard me from His sanctuary; my cry reached His ears.” (v. 7) “He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me.” (v. 20) God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.” (v. 31) “You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet.” (v. 40)

We can choose to stay in the moment and stay focused on our God who occupies that moment with us, or we can choose to focus on the situation and miss out on God’s presence. Friend, God isn’t the One missing the in the equation. He is near. However, we will miss Him if we allow the problems – instead of the solution (God) – to capture our attention.

Blessings!