Calgon, Take me Away!
Several years ago, the Calgon company aired a commercial portraying a frantic, busy mom in her chaotic home. Kids are yelling and chasing each other, dogs are barking and tracking in mud, and the phone is ringing. One thing is apparent in the scene: she is well past her limit. She has had enough! The noise, the demands, the constant commotion--she's spent her day trying to keep it all together; keep things flowing and moving along at a peaceful but steady pace. It's finally become too much for ever her--the supermom. Amid the chaos, she utters that still-famous line, "Calgon, take me away!" Miraculously, she is instantly transported to a silent bathroom where she is alone, soaking in a luxurious bubble bath.
Even Jesus needed an escape from the constant throngs of people swirling around him. He needed to find a quiet place to pray and think. That didn't make Him a bad friend or Master; it simply proved that He was human. He had limited physical capabilities, and He knew the importance of protecting Himself in those human weaknesses in order to do His very best for those He came to serve.
"News about Jesus kept spreading. Large crowds came to listen to him teach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus would often go to some place where he could be alone and pray" (Luke 5:15-16, CEV).
In the chaos of your full house, do you make sure that you get your Calgon moments? Do you feel guilty when you do? It doesn't make you bad, selfish, or insensitive to need time alone. Find that quiet place where you can be alone with your thoughts. Spend time in reflection and prayer. The chaos of life is often too loud to hear the Savior's voice. Make sure there is plenty of silence in your life so you can hear Him when He calls.
Sometimes we feel that our lives should be balanced. Actually, for the Christian, that's not a realistic or appropriate goal. Attempting to balance the aspects of our lives can only lead to unrest and discouragement because it's not what God has called us to. He calls us to a completely unbalanced life.
In that verse, the heart represents the things we love and our emotions. Loving God with all our hearts and souls places Him first, above all else. Our strength represents the things into which we put our physical efforts, our will and our work. Our mind is the sum of our thoughts.
God doesn't want an equal portion of those things after they're divided with the world, or, even worse, the leftovers. He wants and deserves it all. That means that everything you do, say, feel and think is with Him and His will for you in mind--it's seeking constant relationship with Him, even amid the hustle and bustle of life. But, another part of that commitment to relationship with Him is that quiet time--those Calgon moments away from the fullness of a large family. He can't speak to your heart or your mind amid constant chaos. Do whatever it takes to make sure you have time quiet time with your Savior throughout your day so he can refresh your spirit and speak to your heart.
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I try to take at least one bubble bath a week. It is when I catch up on my magazines or a good book. It is quite refreshing. Highly recommend it!
Posted by: Bev | November 30, 2009 at 09:38 AM