So, I’ve had a lot of that nervous kind of energy lately. Maybe you know the kind. I mean, it’s that kind of feeling like there are lots of things that I can do, but my heart and mind are wrapped up in the things that I can’t…the things that are out of my control. Thus…this restless energy keeps rising to the surface when my heart and mind are unsettled.

So…I’ve got some negative go tos…things I turn to with this restlessness. Chocolate chips is one, and playing this stupid spider solitaire game when I haven’t finished the dishes or the laundry or lesson plans is another, and oh-of course scrolling through the never-ending stream of social media. The problem is, these don’t cure the restlessness,…they seem to fuel it all the more. Funny how sometimes the things we attempt to fill voids with can only serve to create greater voids.  (But, no, it’s actually not funny.)

So those go-to s are easy but not therapeutic. But here are some good go-tos for me and my restless self.  If you read this blog much, well, you probably know I love to walk, and take photos. But one of my favorite go-tos  these days is …what I’ll call “spin surfing”. What?  Yep…Spin surf. I don’t know what you call it but it’s this curved skateboard looking thing you can twist and turn on. A balance board maybe?  It’s a lot of fun. I’m not a surfer or skateboarder and have been on the sidelines while my family  used boards. My husband and one son love to surf, and my family have definitely loved their days of skateboarding. (One of my mom duties wasn’t just fixing up bikes, it was tightening trucks on skateboards for my young boys.)  Anyway, I’m so not a skateboarder, but I love using this little Balance board. I think that’s what it’s called. And I sing and spin and focus on what’s true.

And the song that has the best “spin surf” beat is my absolute favorite go to song these days.  It’s got a great beat, but better yet it is full of truth, truth, truth, and encouragement and speaks right to what this restless heart needs to hear. It’s called “Even Then” by Micah Tyler.  (link below….might want to click link and then read rest of blog  while  you’re humming to the beat<3)  I sing that song and twist and sing and my restless heart beats a little faster, but my mind and heart calm with the awareness of the truth that…

“…even when it feels like my world is shaken,

even when I’ve had all that I can take,

I know, You’ll never let me go…oh…

Even when the waters won’t stop rising,

even when I’m caught in the dead of night,

I know, no matter how it ends

You’re with me even then…

When the days up ahead look a little bit brighter

But when the grip of the past holds a little bit tighter

I’m reminded your grace never asks for perfection

Oh I’m restored cause I’m yours and I stand forgiven

(chorus)

And even in the middle of the struggle

Even when it’s hard to remember

You alone are my defense when I’m standing on your promises

I know that even in the thick of the battle

Even through the valley of the shadow 

You alone are my defense when I’m standing on your promises

So where could I run to? 

Where could I go?

..even when it feels like my world is shaken,

even when I’ve had all that I can take,

I know, You’ll never let me go…oh…

Even when the waters won’t stop rising,

even when I’m caught in the dead of night,

I know, no matter how it ends

You’re with me even then…

…no matter how it ends, you’re with me even then.

“….Micah Taylor

So, I surely hope you and your heart aren’t feeling the restlessness that me and my heart are battling, but if perchance you need a little encouragement, click the link to the song, and sing out loud.  And if you want it to be extra fun, run on over to Walmart and get a balance board. That way  you can twist and spin and check ‘cardio’ off your list. But more than that…though your heart beat may go up, I have a feeling that your being dis-heartened will go down. Funny how when we bring all of the restlessness to God, and leave the rest of all of the things we can’t control to Him, well, there’s a rest that just comes and calms.

Oh, and a word to the wise…family members may be quietly (or not so quietly) amused by your twisting and singing. It’s really okay. You’ll survive. (And so will they. Hope is still feeling just fine after having a hilarious laugh at yours truly twisting and singing to “Even When” on the balance board.) And hey, maybe one day those family members might just need a little something to calm their restless heart and they’ll have a hilarious image of you engrained in their mind, but a song in their memory to use as a go-to.  Always good to have a song to help restless hearts find some rest and to know that rest can be found…even when…(insert list of your crazy life here)…yes, even then.

Blessings ~

Heather

p.s. “For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but EVEN THEN my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you.”  Isaiah 54:10

Even Then. Amen.