I see beauty in routine, in structure, and because of that I tend to develop and maintain patterns throughout my day. It’s comfortable. It’s safe. It’s soothing to my soul.
Every morning I follow the same process of rising and moving into a new day. When I shower, I do specific things in a specific order because I don’t want to miss anything, and I’ve already thought through the logic; for instance, I begin praying when the conditioner goes on to set and wrap it up after I pumice my feet.
What? You don’t pumice your feet in the shower regularly? I do. Plus, it’s my gift of love for Jeff–protection from the ghastly wounds I might otherwise inflict while playing footsies.
Sometimes, if my feet are in incredibly bad shape (I wear flip flops year-round–what’s a gal to do?) I might belt out some praise and worship songs for good measure. After all, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (ESV)
I’m just acting in obedience, y’all.
I’d like to point out this is the exact opposite of Jeff. His shower consists of an iTunes playlist whose range is best described as 41-year-old-eclectic. Also? Jeff sings from the time he steps in the shower until he’s fully dressed and walking out the door.
Sometimes I linger in bed listening. He makes me smile. Listening to him singing in the shower is part of another routine of mine; the routine where the alarm has managed to do its job, but instead of immediately ejecting from the bed I crawl in deeper, all while contemplating THE LIST.
I’m fully aware that due to His wisdom and omniscience God chose to include only 24 hours in a day. However, in my more anxious moments, and on more than one occasion, I’ve “let my requests be made known” regarding the unreasonable span of time allotted for the tasks I’m required to accomplish in any given day.
That’s when He smiles at me, shakes His head and says, “Whatevs, hot stuff.”
Wait, scratch that.
That’s when He smiles at me, shakes his head and says, “Do not be anxious about anything.”
Oh. Right. I remember now.
As you can tell, I need to spend a good portion of the day thanking GOD for His sovereignty over me because my logic obviously fails to extend too far out from the shower door.
Oh, how I trust Him.
Changes are coming.
In the meantime, I pray and rejoice in Him
For when we pray in earnest and then are willing to embrace His sovereignty over our lives, whatever that means for us, His will unfolds for us to see, and our joy is complete.
“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” – John 16:24 (NIV)