A Co-op Gas bar was a couple of blocks ahead, and I trudged forward, madly planning in my head how long this might all take, and will I make it to my house before my kids arrive for the dinner that wasn't started yet...
Lately, I feel like I am running out of gas. My job is stressful, there are many demands on my time - a major holiday weekend of family gatherings, a funeral for my dear Uncle Cornie, and the joy of the first birthday of my precious granddaughter, Kaylee.
After a particularly frustrating day, before bed I was led to read a chapter from singer/author Carolyn Arends' e-book, Theology in Aisle Seven. It is a compilation of articles that she has written for the magazine, Christianity Today, and as I gazed at the title for the next chapter, my jaw dropped. "What to do with Anger: Meekness" was the title that addressed exactly my present issue. The tears started to fall as I read the chapter. Each line seemed to address how I felt, and Carolyn adeptly described how to deal with my feelings.
She uses Psalm 37:5 as her reference for "rolling" the need to defend ourselves, as well as our needs and concerns - onto God. Immediately one of her songs, Roll It, from her album Love Was Here First, started playing through my mind. She sings, "Worry and strife won't add a day to your life, you've got to roll it onto God".
Meekness, surprisingly, isn't a term of weakness, meant for one to roll over and take it - but to stay the course - like when I ran out of gas, trudging to the gas bar, madly planning my next steps. Carolyn says that meekness is associated with strength that is submitted to an appropriate authority, like an ox at the plow. The ox is extraordinarily strong. I'm not crazy about the ox analogy, but it works. ;)
Anger and frustration was sapping my strength. It was time to roll it... thanks, Carolyn!!
