The Chaotic Days

Today in chapel we had a couple come in and speak on “The Dating Plan.”  Since I am not in a relationship, most of the message did not really apply to my life.  But, one thing that stuck out to me was when the speaker kept referring to times in her life that were “chaotic.”  She talked about times when her life felt like it was spinning out of control and how those times were when she was not following God’s plan for her.  She kept using the word “chaotic” over and over again.  That word stuck with me.  I kept thinking about how lately this semester has been smooth sailing.  I’ve barely had any homework, my practicum hours haven’t started yet so I’ve had extra time to sleep, I’ve had time to exercise, and spent many nights playing card games.  I was thinking how comfortable my schedule seemed to be.  I was thinking that “chaos” was far from what my schedule was this semester. 

Doesn’t it always turn out that right as you say “My life isn’t chaotic”…you have an EXTREMELY chaotic day?!

While I was taking an online test (which always makes me more nervous…anytime it is an open note/online test I immediately feel a pressure to get a perfect score) our online school system we use crashed and I lost my test.  By the time I could get back into my test I had to be in a lab and then later when I entered my test it only gave me 8 minutes. Long story short, and several e-mails later to my very helpful professor, I got it sorted out and finally took the test.

Then I had to tutor and volunteer at a local church.  On my way to tutoring I got an e-mail from a professor informing me of a quiz we will be given tomorrow.  Now I had not read the chapter yet, or began studying as I would have had I known about the test before.  Let’s just say surprise quizzes are not my friends.  And since I was busy this evening I was not even able to begin studying until late in the evening.

Now any time I get an e-mail that tells me news I do not enjoy it sticks with me…especially when I can’t do anything about it.  So all through tutoring and volunteering it was sticking with me that I really needed to be studying.  Eventually I tried to push that aside and focused on the tutoring session.  Tutoring went pretty well…let’s leave it at that. ;)

Lucky for me I absolutely adore where I volunteer at on Wednesday nights.  I had so much fun teaching the lesson this evening.  The curriculum had some really cute games and science experiments that I think they enjoyed.

Well when I got home for the day and had a late dinner, I did my studying and finally thought I was done for the night.

Then suddenly all these little things piled up.  You know how sometimes when one thing is wrong or stressful all the little things seem horrendous?  I think I was in this place at this point.

Now I have been working hard to have my planner extremely organized.  I mean with such a chaotic day I needed to make sure I was remembering everything.  Then I got another e-mail that a time had changed for an event and well that just threw me for a loop.  That really shouldn’t be a big deal...I realize this.  But I just reach a place on days like this where everything seems so stressful.

Then I sit down and talk with my roommates and a joke starts up and slowly some of the stress begins to crack away…

Moral of the story?  Don’t ever say your life is too easy….not chaotic. ;)  Just kidding. The truth is that all throughout the day I found myself becoming more and more frustrated.  But in the midst of the frustration I kept being reminded of Bible verses and songs.  I was reminded that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  I was randomly singing “I Surrender All.”  God has a way of showing me lessons in each and every day.  So instead of dwelling in the chaos, I’ll just remember the blessings.  I’ll remember God gently reminding me that He is in control.  And for that I am thankful.