Slowing Down From Worry

Today's post comes to us from talented high school senior, Maia Miller.

With the start of my senior year of high school I have been thrown into a billion decisions to make and tasks to do. Things like applying to colleges, trying to weigh financial aid, and doing school and ballet on top of all of it. I feel like a squirrel trying to collect all the nuts in the world before winter except this time it's my future and I still really have no idea what I'm gonna do. It has felt almost impossible to be in the moment of senior year when I feel like I should be constantly worrying and thinking about everything I need to do. But slowly I have been realizing that the past month is sometimes the little things that remind you to be in the moment.

Last week I went to a modern dance performance that one of my dance teachers was performing in, and in one of the pieces that she performed she was acting as the embodiment of autumn. As I watched her dance and throw leaves into the air with very beautiful grace I was reminded of how beautiful autumn is, how simple the falling leaves seem yet how brilliant they are, the feeling of the wind on crisp autumn and how it kinda just crept on me this year. I had forgotten that it existed and I realized how much I loved it. I had been so focused on living in this future worry that I had forgotten how wonderful the season is and how most importantly it was made in God's creation.

I had been so focused on this worry that I hadn't realized that in the end whatever happened would be in God's hand and it was so much more important to get to enjoy the seasons and his lovely creation. A psalm that comes to mind when I think of trying to live in the moment is Psalm 8 versus 3 and 4. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them?

I had been so focused on all of the things that I saw as huge decisions in my life that I forgot that I was created by a Lord who created the moon and the stars and that he is with me. So instead of constantly worrying about what my future held, I could look up and see his creation in nature and in people who are also a support in the craziness.

My family especially has been the people who I have been seeing as God's creation as of late. Throughout this time they have reminded me to take a deep breath and to enjoy the time I get to have with them in a very exciting year.

The Lord has given me so many chances to do things especially with my family and to continue to enjoy the small things I love doing like talking to my little brother in car or getting to do fun fall activities like apple picking; sometimes I am learning that, instead of spending all of my waking time thinking about what i need to do next, I just need to breath and enjoy right where I am. Which is in this very beautiful state in the midst of fall.