Don't Stop the Madness

If I could use one work to describe my week it would be madness.

Between packing, moving out, cleaning, starting summer classes, moving back into my parents place, and work, I have had no time to even sit down. I quickly found myself overwhelmed at the beginning of the week-a sure sign that it was going to be a hard week. I felt the stress of deadlines-packing, moving boxes, cleaning, etc. and the pressure of starting a three week summer biology class (Science is not my strongest subject).

By Tuesday morning, I was overwhelmed and felt tears whelming up in my eyes. I realized the security in my plans for moving did not go as planned. Since moving got delayed, we ended up changing everything. For a planner like me, a complete change in schedule freaks me out. I do not like sudden changes. It’s how I am. Do I like it? Not at all.

Then Wednesday hit. Feeling tired, worn, and not ready for what the day demanded, I hit the road at 7 am to go to a three hour biology class. Not to mention that my class ended up being on the 4th floor-that’s 70 stairs if you’re wondering. The only goal of my day was simple-to survive and not have a breakdown.

But then a song came on the radio.

The song is called “Don’t Stop the Madness” by Tenth Avenue North. This song talks about how the madness, chaos, and pain in our lives is used in order for the Lord to break our hearts and make us more like Him. It’s a desperate cry to the Lord to break our deceitful, foolish, and idolized hearts. And it’s not fun.

Here are the lyrics:

There's a beggar down inside of me

Standing on the corner of the street

And my shame is my only company

Can use some cash, but can't admit my need

For what you've got and what I could receive

I need you love to come and break the silence

Don't stop the madness

Don't stop the chaos

Don't stop the pain surrounding me

Don't be afraid, Lord, to break my heart

Just bring me down to my knees, yeah

All I hear is what they're selling me

That God is love, he isn't suffering

And what you need's a little faith and prosperity

But, oh my God, I know there's more than this

If you promise pain it can't be meaningless

So make me poor if that's the price for freedom

Don't stop the madness

Don't stop the chaos

Don't stop the pain surrounding me

Don't be afraid, Lord, to break my heart

If it brings me down to my knees, yeah

In a marriage lost

And the cry in the dark

Don't stop with your love

And the mother's tear

For the child that starves

Don't stop with your love

When we're breaking down

We're falling apart

Don't stop with your love

And with new eyes to see

This is your mercy

Don't stop with your love

Don't stop the madness

Don't stop the chaos

Don't stop the pain inside of me

Do whatever it takes to give me your heart

And bring me down to my knees, Lord

I was so grateful the Lord orchestrated this moment in order to remind me of the blessing “chaos” can be in my life. I realized how much I relied on my plans to follow through, and when they didn’t, I was upset. But I need to rely on the Lord. His plans NEVER fail.

The madness that fills our lives is never going to stop. It is a constant struggle, and although it may seem never ending, there is rest in the arms of our Savior. I can’t help but look back at my week and be amazed of how I made it through. How the Lord taught me so much, and how I neglected to spend time with Him when I obviously needed it the most. If life was easy, we would not need the Lord. But through the madness, we find the peace, comfort, and strength we need-which is worth every single second of chaos.

With Blessings,

Heather 

Struggles (In Singleness)

We all have our struggles. Struggles for joy, contentment, or peace. Lately, I have been faced with a new struggle. I have been content about this situation, but now I am feeling the pains of this struggle. So what is my struggle?

Contentment in my singleness.

I have enjoyed be single for many reasons and have always felt like it was the right stage for me during different seasons of my life. I have felt contentment and joy, knowing I was waiting for the Lord to orchestrate the relationship of my future husband and I. A couple years ago, I read a book called “Sacred Singleness” by Leslie Ludy. This book spoke to me in so many ways and helped me to see my singleness as a blessing and not a burden. I encourage all my friends to read this book because it has been such an encouragement to me.

Every night, I pray for my future husband. I also enjoy writing to him. It may seem like a weird concept, but through all the prayers and letters, I have felt this connection to him. But I don’t know who he is. It’s hard to understand but I feel it. Praying for him has become something very important to me because I know every single person needs prayers. I pray for strength in hard times, purity, growth in the Lord, and that his friendships and relationships would be glorifying to the Lord. I also pray that if he does not know the Lord yet, that he would be convicted and know this never-ending love. I want a Christ centered relationship and what better way than to start it out with prayer years before our relationship even begins.

Although this has been a struggle for me, I cling to the promise of Romans 8:28. This verse has been such a rock for me through everything in life I’ve experienced. So I rest in the comfort of knowing that God has provided this struggle and this season of my life for MY good. Through my singleness, I have been able to develop a relationship with the Lord and focus on Him. I know the Lord is preparing me for my future husband and is also preparing my future husband for me. It is encouraging to know that this is a time of growth that will impact any future relationships I may have.

The Lord knows the inward desires of our hearts. I trust in His faithfulness and timing, knowing He has it all under control. This season of my life has a purpose. A purpose of growth-spiritually and personally. I know someday it is going to be so worth the waiting and getting to walk down the aisle to my future husband. To go before God and our friends and family to vow our faithfulness to each other and the Lord. What a beautiful picture of the love of Christ and His church it will be!

With Blessings,

Heather