Slow Down

Many will describe the pace of their lives today as “warp speed” or “out of control.” Cellular phones, voicemail, email messages, a demanding job, twelve to fourteen hours of work a day —the list goes on.

All contribute to this life in the fast lane.

People seem to be always rushing. In the hospital where I worked, doctors walked in the hallways with their cup of coffee or soda cans in their hands; they had no time to sit and enjoy the drink before they went from one patient to another.

One early winter morning, I saw a nurse drop off her sleeping baby in the arms of the babysitter who was waiting in the parking lot.

Some women apply makeup in the car while waiting for the light to turn green. I once saw a driver brushing her teeth during the morning traffic. “Crazy!” we may say. Some of us feel like we are “running to and fro,” having way too many things to do and feverishly attempting to accomplish them before the day is over.

Students have the stress of finishing a term paper due the next day or anxiety before a final exam. Others have the never-ending chores at home.

Families with school-age children endure the everyday cycle of dropping off the kids at school in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon and then ball practice, music lessons, or other extracurricular activities at the school.

Before our kids could drive, Henry and I spent weekends attending football or basketball tournaments in academies as far as three hours’ drive away.

We cherish the memories of these weekends and were glad to be part of the children’s growing years. To those caught in this mad rush who often feel the need for more hours in a day, slow down! Are you are burdened by a busy schedule today? Slow down! Let the Lord take control. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV).

Evelyn Porteza Tabingo