Fall Into His Arms

Photo by Jeremy Cooper via Unsplash (2015) CC0. Text added by author.

There went September and for many of us, it knocked us over like a gust of wind leaving us breathless and wondering, “What just happened?” We were tossed into a sea of activities and classes, scrambling to find our planners so we could have some hope that we might keep it all straight. Welcome to 2016 America. It’s fast, it’s loud, and it doesn’t care how you’re managing the ride.

Have hope, though.

Much like Peter in the rocking boat, you too have Jesus. He’s right there beside you in the carpool lane, in your afternoon meeting, on the sidelines of practice, and in the drive-thru where you feel guilty about picking up fast-food dinner.

He knows your heart, He knows your worries, and He knows every thought that goes through your mind. But don’t let that keep you from telling Him how you feel and what you need. Like a good father, He wants desperately to listen to you and to love you through your struggles.

I often share this quote from St. Faustina because I need to be often reminded of it myself. Jesus is listening to St. Faustina who is worried, I think, that she’s annoying Jesus. Here’s what He says:

My daughter...why do you not tell me about everything that concerns you, even the smallest details? Tell Me about everything, and know that this will give Me great joy. I answered, But You know about everything, Lord."

And Jesus replied to me, "Yes I do know; but you should not excuse yourself with the fact that I know, but with childlike simplicity talk to Me about everything, for my ears and heart are inclined towards you, and your words are dear to Me.

Just sit with that for a moment. Can you imagine that the God of the Universe wants to hear everything you have to say? He doesn’t think any of it is stupid. He doesn’t think any of it is wasteful. He wants all of you. You don’t need to be strong when you’re with the Lord.

[Tweet "You don't need to be strong when you're with the Lord. By @SterlingJaquith"]

Did you hear that, mama? You don’t have to be strong right now.

Take a deep breath and just be yourself. Set down everything that you’re holding and just be yourself with Jesus. Give yourself up to the Lord by telling Him everything. Tell him your ugly thoughts, your sorrowful thoughts, your worried thoughts, and your joyful thoughts.

Lay everything at the foot of the cross and refuse to pick it back up again. The world does not own you. Your soul was bought and paid for through the suffering of Jesus. All you have to repent and believe in the gospel.

Repent and believe.

That’s what we should really be worrying about this fall. Let us work on rooting out our own sins and spending more time loving the Lord. That’s what He wants from us. He doesn’t need it but He wants our love.

When the world is clamoring for your time but don’t let it win your soul. Here are some things to fight for this season, no matter how busy you are.

Don’t give up:

Your prayer time (morning and nightly);
Time in Adoration (try to go weekly or at the very least once per month);
Monthly confession (trust me, our souls all need to be scrubbed clean);
Sunday Mass (don’t let your schedule crowd out the most important appointment you have);
Carefree timelessness with your spouse;
Rest (you need actual deep rest to tackle your to-do list, don’t skip this!)

I know it may seem impossible but, mama, you’re strong. Your heart and your soul know what you were made for and it wasn’t soccer practice or even CCD meetings. Don’t let the world snatch you away from the Lord who is longing for time with you. Put Him first this busy season and I promise, He will honor your time and give you peace. He does not promise us an easy-going life or even a life of happiness but He does promise us peace.

And peace is better than the accolades most of us are chasing.