Frantic Vs. Frenetic

A year ago we had a record-breaking two feet of snow.

In planning for this post on rest, I began to think of adjectives that describe busyness and life pace. I thought of the words frantic and frenetic.  I wondered how they were different.  A quick Google search of the terms revealed that frantic has to do with one’s mental state and frenetic applies to behaviors and actions.  Whether we use the words frantic and frenetic appropriately or not, I am sure we all understand that life in the 21st century moves recklessly fast!  With all our technology and the speed of travel, daily life is overloaded.  Should I call it frantic or frenetic?

I am very guilty of both overscheduling my life and carrying out daily routines with excessive effort. According to psychologist Archibald Hart, some important activities require adrenaline and heightened focus, but we should beware of keeping this pace with routine chores.  I find this to be true of myself.   I catch myself with clenched jaws as I peel carrots or furrowed brows while brushing my teeth.  Such intensity is unhealthy.

The Bible speaks many times of rest, of leaning on God, of waiting. Often the message is in the command form:  Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).  God, having designed our bodies, knows how they work and knows what is best for us physically and mentally.  Slowing down, getting away, and listening are frequent admonitions in Scripture.  God Himself modelled rest for us by stopping on the seventh day of Creation to sit back and enjoy the wonders He had just created over the previous six days.  He invented the Sabbath which is just one of His lifestyle ideals for us.

My sister captured this sweet shot of my parents. My mom is petting a grandcat. Stroking an animal is known to lower blood pressure.

With age, I think we might get better at resting. It could be out of necessity; the body is slowing down, without its former youthful energy.  It might be opportunity; less responsibilities and obligations and freer to relax.  And with age, wisdom is gained; like Solomon, you realize that being a workaholic is all “vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

Our frantic mindset can come to a screeching halt with a snowstorm. Where I live in northern Virginia, snow is a novelty.  We don’t get regular snowstorms.  When we do get measurable snow, the roads are considered impassable and schools close, providing a wonderful respite.  Neighbors gather outside, resting together between shoveling.  Kitchens are suddenly happy places simmering with soup smells and the scents of baking.  Families sit beside fireplaces talking and laughing.  The white blanket puts our frenzied lives to bed.

So while we wait for this winter’s big snow, let’s practice by slowing down and living reasonably. God wants us to savor the life He’s given us but we’re prone to miss His offer.  “God has told his people, ‘Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.’ But they would not listen.” Isaiah 28:12

Get Active

My work has an exercise initiative for the holidays and winter season. The program is called “Get Active.”  Signing up is optional, but many of us join it for the friendly competition and incentive to move, since the winter weather and seasonal mood aren’t motivating.  There’s plenty of banter in hallways and at meetings about our “number of steps” and tracking our virtual destinations!  As I was getting ready for the day recently, I saw a note I had posted to myself:  Keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).  It reminded me that taking steps and being active is healthy and fun, but being correctly “in step” spiritually is important too.

What does keeping “in step with the Spirit” mean? In another passage, Scripture tells us to be filled with God’s Spirit as opposed to being filled with wine (Ephesians 5:18).  Alcohol has the effect of altering behavior to the point where you lose control over your actions and are numbed to reality.  Letting the God’s Spirit take control protects us from errors and waywardness, comforts us in daily life, and guides us in decision-making and over attitudes. There is guaranteed safety and companionship as we keep pace with God’s Spirit.  As I count my daily steps and stay active, I must also purposefully pursue the One with whom I walk.

These colorful sneakers may be on someone's Christmas wishlist.
These colorful sneakers may be on someone’s Christmas wishlist.

Yard Sale: A Long View

There is a truism for garage sales. It’s the jackpot theory.  You browse many yards, finding nothing.  Then you hit a jackpot sale with everything you were looking for in perfect condition and at great prices!

I occasionally went to yard sales when my kids were young. Toys and other children’s deals were plentiful.  One weekend I went to a sale in an older neighborhood that was being razed for new development.  Sure enough, I experienced the jackpot phenomenon.  After many dud sales, I hit upon a bonanza!  I found a treasure of craft supplies, gardening tools, and items for entertaining, all at one house.  A thought struck me as I purchased what the seller was unloading:  she was ending a time of creating and sowing in homemaking that I was presently immersed in.  She might be looking back but I was looking ahead.  I wondered if she was satisfied or regretful.  I saw a future that I could seize or squander.

The Bible talks about choosing endeavors of significance. “Anyone who builds on that foundation (Jesus) may use a variety of materials – gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or stone.  But on the judgment day, fire will review what kind of work each builder has done.  The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.”  (1 Corinthians 3: 12-13) That Saturday was many years ago.  I still use the party-sized coffee maker I bought that day and I’m still aiming to do work that is fire retardant.  I pray that this blog has value for eternity.