Thoughts, Way Too Many Thoughts

For more than a week now I’ve been focusing on Psalm 143. It started with my mind full of thoughts, way too many thoughts. I’m sure someone can relate to that. My mind is just full of swirling thoughts. It is hard to focus on any one thing. There is work, which changes daily with Covid-19 requirements. There are church people, worship responsibilities which aren’t happening in a normal fashion. There is my husband’s business which thus far is still happening and I help with at times. Then the most obvious there is family which we cannot be with at this time when we feel like we could help the most. We could care for the kids while they work from home but no, we can’t. And those are just the obvious big things. My list of thoughts could go on and on.

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So back to Psalm 143. I am working on memorizing verses 8-10.  Right now in my life when the word “enemies” appears to me it means thoughts, way too many thoughts. Thoughts that just swirl in my mind and make it difficult to focus on any one thing. Today as I read the whole Psalm verse 5 jumped out at me. It reads:

“I remember the days of old

I meditate on all that you have done.

I ponder the work of your hands.”

I remember…I meditate…I ponder. Words that are not “fast” or “fleeting.” Words that say to me “slow down.” When I remember I can remember times of unknown. Times when we moved and knew no one in the new community. Days when one job ended without the new job in sight. Days when a child struggled in school. Days when…you get the picture. 

Then I meditate, I soak, I marinate in the ways God walked us through each of those times. We worried in the midst of some of those. We hurt in the midst of some of those times, but God. God provided in some obvious ways and many not so obvious ways. I love to tell those stories. Call me. I’d be happy to share.

Lastly the write of this Psalm ponders. What does he ponder? He ponders “the work of your hands.” To me that is looking forward. Pondering the fact that God has worked in my life I can look forward with hope to see how he will work in my life currently. 

Even as I write this my mind is clearer. The noise, the monkey brain is quiet. I know that my God is working. He is working in my life in the midst of this strange season of Covid-19. Now I can move on into the day with clear thoughts to do what is in front of me to do.

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How do you focus your mind?