Restless and Out of Sorts
I had been restless for several months. Not in a fidgety, can’t sit still type of way. Not even in a longing to do something else kind of way. I wasn’t sure of the source or reason, but it persisted . . . daily, nightly, some days hourly.
The unsettled feeling wasn’t physical — it was mental — and yes, spiritual. I hadn’t been reading much, and hadn’t been studying scripture with the same intention as in the past. I’m typically a voracious reader but over the past several months, I had opted for TV viewing, for time on social media, and honestly, I’m not sure what else! Life was been pretty complicated last year! When life gets complicated, we let things go that aren’t immediately essential.
And I wasn’t writing as much. That is probably even a larger contributor! God had been pressing on me to write more, more often, with more intention. Not pushing me, but nudging. Not pressuring me, but sending signs — lots of signs — arranging situations and conversations with people and by others that are letting me know what I need to do.
Writing is second nature to me! First nature, really! Some of my earliest memories involve writing and storytelling. Almost continually, an object or scene will send my mind whirling, weaving a creative tale of some sort. I can’t help it! And when that impulse and inclination are thwarted . . . I become restless.
“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phillippians 4:6)
I’m back to it these days! Writing, thinking about writing, even starting an online writing group to help other writers move from that restless state to an even keel and a new pattern of living that includes writing, and writing, and writing. Because we all have a story in us and it needs to be told.
“And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest”” (Exodus 33:14)
Such a gracious, patient, loving God to “sit with me” in my idleness and rejoice with me when I find my way back to what I was made to do.
You can find me on line here: https://linktr.ee/themarymoss
