Hurry. Most of us do it. Many of us are caught in its pace.
hurry :: to move, proceed, or act with haste; a state of urgency or eagerness; rush; hustle; bustle
Much of my life I’ve spent in hurry’s beat. It’s even possible I thrived off the adrenaline rush it gave me daily. It saddens me to think of the many times I told my children when they were young to, “Hurry up!” That’s one thing, if I had the chance, I’d do over. I’d never let those words sneak out of my mouth to my children.
Hurry is what we do, isn’t it?
Our society today is one of hurry and busy and “run or get run over.” Friend, I’m tired of the hurry. After returning from a recent eight-day Caribbean cruise with my husband, I’ve refused to resume a hurried–and harried–life.
To understand just how much of a struggle fighting against a life of hurry is for me, it took two and a half days on the cruise ship for me to settle in to a different routine. On the morning of day two, I thought I might go stir crazy. God reminded me that morning how I had again stepped into the fast lane of life, and it was time to stop the madness. (That’s one thing about a cruise… when you’re out in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, there’s nowhere one can go and there was little I could do to keep myself moving. But, what I could do was relax and rest. You know, God knows what He’s doing, doesn’t He?!!)
It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? Psalm 127:2 MSG
I didn’t realize how much hurry had a hold on me until I rested.
I’m well aware the world did not go with me on this cruise, and even though I may have returned with a renewed perspective, it’s one that’s not embraced by everyone else. Yesterday, I was about ran over in the grocery store by a woman on a mission to the artichokes. (Do we need turn signals on our shopping carts?)
Another woman became increasingly agitated, tapping her foot loudly behind me in the checkout line. (Was I taking too long paying for my groceries?)
I was going two miles and hour over the speed limit on the way home, and was passed by six cars on a two-lane road. (Do we need to raise the speed limit?)
All joking aside, why are we hurrying? What’s our rush? Has it just become a habit, without even realize we are in hurry’s frantic pace?
Here’s a new thought…
What if we rested from the hurry?
Instead of running errands, what if we walked them? Instead of ordering fast food for dinner, what if we chose slow food–the kind we take time to prepare–instead? And, instead of racing against the clock, what if we slowed down to smell those roses right in front of us?
Sure, I know we all have life to live and stuff to do. We have places to go and people to see. Yes, we have kids in activities and schedules to manage. Of course we can’t just sit around and rest all day.
But, we can rest from the hurry.
Join me in stopping the madness today. Let’s walk instead of run. Let’s notice what’s around us instead of flying past it. And, let’s take time to enjoy the journey, not rush through it.
Hurry no longer needs to have its way in our lives.
Praying for us all in this today.
Blessings!
Julie
As we slow our pace, it’s a joy to link this post with friends Suzie and Crystal. 
I’m riding around with a teenager again — and I’m amazed at the words I hear coming out of my mouth. There’s not hurry. We don’t need to pass here. We’ll get there eventually.
I need to take Learner’s Permit 4.0 lessons and apply them to myself everyday!
I understand, Michele! The applying part is key for me! Thanks for stopping over and sharing. It’s always a gift to see your smiling face here! Blessings this Easter weekend!
I know I spend too much time in hurrying. This is good: “Instead of running errands, what if we walked them?” May I have wisdom today to slow down and not feel pressed for time. Thanks for encouraging me, Julie.
Thank you, Lisa, for being here and for sharing your words of hope and encouragement. I pray we all can slow down to the pace Jesus would have us in. May your Easter weekend be a blessing in numerous ways. Bless you!
I love this, Julie! I definitely want to get into the habit of learning to rest and rely on my Savior for my source of strength–and I am also guilty of telling my kids to hurry! Thank you so much for this great reminder! (And a Caribbean cruise sounds SO good right now! Blessings to you!!) 🙂
Hi Cristin! Thanks for stopping in. I pray we all can stop and rest from the hurry of life, especially this weekend of Easter. The cruise was wonderful and just what we needed. It’s a blessing to have you here!
Yes! I try to remember to savor and slow down. Too often We’re all in a hurry. W need to remember to slow down.
I’m working at it with all I have. I don’t want to get back into the hurry… ever. Hope you’re doing well, friend! God bless you!
I was running like crazy to get a seat at a healing service. And an old lady beside asked me why I was running, I really wasn’t even able to but I had faith and needed healing. Now hearing about rest, I believe she was an angel. His worked was finished and I was already healed as long I kept believing. I should have slowed down and learned about Sabbath rest years ago. Instead of running like others tell you, rest like God says. I like joyful and lively but not frantic, and I believe true and pure worship is found in still and quiet and peaceful praise.
We each may have many “should haves” and “could haves,” but really, all we need to focus on is today. Sounds like you’ve found your rest and healing in believing Who Jesus is. Yes, his work is finished. So thankful! Thank you so much for coming by. It’s a gift to read your words today!