Volume 28: Rest in Overdoing It

 

To begin, here's an excerpt from Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools:

During the Jewish Passover, the Israelites traditionally sang a gratitude song called dayenu. Dayenu means "it would have been enough." I once heard a pastor offer this translation: "thank you, God, for overdoing it."

Dayenu prayer sounds like, "God, lunch would have been enough, but you provided me with the resources to choose the type of food I wanted to eat and options to pick from."

"God, lunch of my choice would've been enough, but you created a world of flavor and spice and culture to make food more than fuel - to offer it as artistic and delicious."

"God, a delicious lunch of my choice would've been enough, but you gave me a coworker to share a conversation with over that food."

"Thank you, God, for overdoing it."

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I read that quote at the beginning of the week, and was encouraged by God's generosity and love for us. I set out to be aware of the ways that God "overdose" everything. 

The sun would have been enough, as it literally gives us life, but you provided us with colorful skies when it rises and sets. 

The river would have been enough, but you provided us with boats and kayaks and bridges and fishing rods to make the scene even more peaceful. 

The fresh air would have been enough, but you fill it with the sounds of your people talking and laughing, birds chirping, and dogs barking.  

On Friday, I played hookie from work.... felt ~crazy~ but it was a wonderful day, exploring and resting. (Debbie, it was an approved personal day ok!) I slept in, read my chapter in Luke, went to the library, sat at a coffee shop, rented a bike and explored a park on the river, and shared a meal with fellow believers from church. It was my ideal day.

A good nights sleep would have been enough, but you have given us comfortable beds and weighted blankets and hatch alarm clocks to give us deep rest. 

Your Word would have been enough, but you have given people wisdom to help us understand what we read and community to read with. 

The Bible would have been enough, but you give the gift of creativity to your people and allow them to write books that fill up a whole library. 

A cup of coffee would have been enough, but we have access to many coffee shops, where we can sit and write and read amongst other people and enjoy a variety of flavors and types. 

Your creation would have been enough, but you give us bikes to ride and parks to enjoy your beauty.

In continuation of that wonderful day, I got to spend the day yesterday with my nieces (and Madison and Rory, they're cool too!). We went to this AMAZING playground and I came TO LIFE. One of those things when you pretend that you're doing everything to please the kid, but really, you enjoy it more than the kid does... 

As I was running around the giant playground, with little kids all around me, I felt free. 

As I was riding a bike around a park, on a beautiful, sunny day, I felt free. 

They were both moments that reminded me of childhood - when we would ride around our neighborhood like we ran the world or spend hours making up games on our tiny play-set. Whether strolling through nature or zooming down slides, I was not worried about anything else in the world... I felt light and worry free.

But here we are, approaching the week ahead, and I'm no longer in those child-like moments. My mind starts to add up all of the things that need to be done. It's so easy to get swept up in our emotions and to-do lists, but I never want to miss the moments of bike rides or slides. 

As we read in Luke chapter 12 today, "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?" 

We have no control over anything... but we are loved by a God who continually overdose everything. 

It would have been enough.... Thank you, God, for overdoing it. 

A while ago, Pastor Eric made a comment that one of his professors had shared with him that all preachers really only preach 3 sermons in their life. They just choose different stories and approaches of sharing the message.

I may not be a preacher, but if I were, I think my 3 sermons would be:

• Speaking up 
• Unplugging 
• Childlike joy/faith

So just be sure to mention those 3 things at my funeral pls ok! (yes, I will go first). 

Until then, I hope you continue to enjoy reading about them....