Sunday Devotion

Welcome to the Sunday Devotion. Well, I’ve done it again. I’m overtired and overwhelmed. I need this opportunity to let go and take a breath. Do you? Join with me and sit a minute. Take a breath – a deep one. And get comfortable. Stretch out the tense muscles of your neck and back. Let go and “Let God”.

I’ve seen that phrase – Let God – a number of times and it never really sunk in. But at this moment it speaks volumes. These last few weeks life has been a mix of memorable moments visiting family amidst  a world still experiencing various levels of COVID. I’ve traveled by car for over 2000 total miles in the last 2 weeks, almost all of it masked and sitting in the back seat, taking utmost precautions because I had been exposed to COVID (but feeling fine). First stop was to visit my sister who had fallen in her home and not been found for 32 hours. She was in the hospital so as a precaution I took a COVID test. I was truly shocked - it was positive. Staying distanced from my husband, I felt alone and rather lost in my personal entry into the unknown world of COVID. I hunkered down in a hotel and my husband was taken in by family until I tested negative. I’m fully vaccinated and boostered, and I fared through COVID better than I had imagined. But the stress of it took its own toll.

I tell all this because it is part of my saga of being overtired. Once I was COVID free, we continued our travels, stopping 3 more times to visit friends and family, one of which included 3 small grandchildren. I tried to bolster up my energy but I struggled. On our return trip home, we stopped at my sister’s because this time I really did get to visit her. Then we drove the 13 hours home and I hit the ground running getting ready for the Interfaith Unity Walk in DC, a 9/11 commemorative activity involving 11 faith traditions along a 2 mile walk. Now I am at the overwhelmed to go with the overtired. And a few hours ago I began to Let God.  Do you relate to times when you had so much to do that even your lists had sub lists? Lol.

Let God. Let God seep into your aching muscles and overtired brain. Let God help you take a deep breath.  Let God relax your mind so you can review, reduce and reassign the To-Do lists. Let God be part of the decision making. Let God have your focus and give in to the power and strength of the Divine.

I realize that I only “Let God” when I have exhausted my personal store of energy. Why do so many of us do that? Why do we think we’re supposed to do it all by ourselves?  

Let God take control. Begin the “Let God” immediately; don’t wait until you are overtired and overwhelmed. Breath in God’s power, strength and wisdom. Let God be part of every decision. Be compassionate to others, but also be compassionate to yourself. Be kind to others but also be kind to yourself. When you believe in the Worth of All Persons, remember, that includes you. Let Go and Let God. 
Author: Bonnie Barber