I could hear the snow/sleet falling outside my bedroom window and I closed my eyes tightly, silently I prayed, “God, please let it stop.” I tried to calm my racing thoughts of 6 am clients that would need to be canceled. As an entrepreneur, if I don’t work, I don’t get paid. Inclement weather is no excuse. My mind, as it has a tendency to do, raced furiously ahead with thoughts of tasks I would not be able to tackle until the next day.

Then, somewhere in the depths of my racing mind, God silently reminded me of the scripture in Mark 4:18-19: “And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word. And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”

I had been working day in and day out, often seeing my first clients before 6am and my last after 7pm. I was becoming choked by the cares of this world and ignoring the more eternal truth that God cares for me. Even working so many hours and days without rest, I truly was not becoming more profitable. I was becoming less effective and more exhausted.

I closed my eyes again and prayed, “God help me to appreciate this extra day of rest that you are providing. Thank you for providing for all my needs, much more than I deserve. Please allow me to focus my thoughts on you and doing YOUR work. Forgive me for taking this day and trying to make it MINE. You are the reason I have been allowed to do what I do. Help me to not become unfruitful with the beautiful gift that I have been given, but instead to prosper under your direction. Amen.”

This morning, I had coffee in bed while I did my Bible study. Then I enjoyed a healthy breakfast. And later, I made a crock pot full of vegetarian chili that filled my apartment with an aroma that would have made my Granddo proud. Take care of yourself and appreciate the gifts you are given. Wishing all my readers a very happy snow day.