“So,” she asked, “are you beginning to feel settled yet?”
How do I answer that, I wonder? Should I mention we haven’t even carried our furniture up from the basement because first we have to paint the walls and redo the flooring? Or should I begin with the re-wiring saga, or drywalling? Maybe I could remind her of COVID complications for everything from insurances, tags and driver’s license? So I opt for the uncomplicated.
“Not yet.”
She is talking about my house. I am answering about my heart.
Unsettled goes deeper than buckets of paint, hammer, and electric drill littering where a couch and coffee table ought to be. It’s not just unpacked boxes and tracked through dirt. 
It’s short on patience and full of thorns.
Perhaps you’ve heard the illustration, “Why does the water splash out of the glass when it’s bumped?” More basic than “because it’s bumped,” the answer is “because water is in it.”
I feel like my glass is getting bumped a lot. There’s a move, a pandemic, a political situation, unrest in the streets, a change in job, and some final goodbyes. And seriously, I am not pleased with what’s splashing out.
But, in 2020, I’m not the only one whose glass is bumped.
Bumpings on my water glass are mostly inconveniences. Friends of mine face much more significant life altering life and death transitions, changing everything for always. Their sorrow seems to make mine choppier, more weighty.
Jesus reaches down into unsettled hearts.
“Do not let your heart be troubled;” He told his disciples, “believe in God, believe also in Me.” Jn 14:1 (NASB)
Oh but the disciples didn’t get it. They saw a politically oppressed nation taxed unfairly. They lived with cruelty and prejudice against them. They wondered how Jesus’ assurance could possibly bring the relief or peace they longed for when their lives were filled with trouble. They were ready for change.
And so Thomas just put it out there, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jn 14:5 (NASB)
Like Thomas we are bumped by the wear and tear of missing community, fear and isolation. We are rattled by traditional church disruption and an upcoming election. We are so done with pandemics and plagues. We are shaken by not knowing what will happen and not seeing an end.
This is life unsettled.
I feel Thomas’ plea echo in my heart, Lord, I don’t know how I can make a nest when everything is shifting. I don’t know where these world events are taking us. I’m not sure of the way forward. I am unsure of tomorrow.
And then I hear the same tender compassionate assurance Jesus gave to Thomas fill my troubled cup with peace.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Jesus answered Thomas.
And therein the waves calm.
I will be bumped and I will splash over. My splash-out and spill-over reveals what is inside. I don’t want muddy rivers of fear, anger or despair. I want Living Water, pure and clean to flow over to a troubled world. I want it’s abundance to shower others with the Way, the Truth and the Life.
So go ahead and ask me if I’m beginning to feel settled yet. Chaos in my life makes me feel as if I am being sanded and covered in the sawdust of renovation. But it’s exactly what I need. His refining brings me to know Jesus more intimately. He is the One who fills my inner core. He settles me.
Let me ask you the same question. Are you beginning to feel settled yet?
Nancy Speizer
Sylvia, OMHeavens!!! Your life sounds very chaotic. Thanks for sharing. I want to splash out living water too!!
<3 Nancy
Sylvia Schroeder
Ah Nancy, you already do splash Living Water on me! Thank you so much for your encouraging words and life!!
Gaytha A Bolton
Oh Sylvia, thank you for speaking so eloquently the feeling of my heart! God will use these days, and the days ahead, for His purposes. May we be trusting, resting, obedient children.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Gaytha. Yes, may we be trusting, resting and obedient children. I appreciate your kind words so much. What an encouragement to my heart!
Rebecca Powell
Love the reminder: “Let not your heart be troubled…” God is there to comfort and encourage one step at a time, “…just enough light for the step I’m on.” Thanks for your encouragement, Sylvia.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Rebecca! One step at a time. I need the reminder daily!
RJ Thesman
Good stuff, Sylvia. I’m glad you’re writing, even though unsettled.
Sylvia Schroeder
RJ. I love it when you comment! You are an encourager and I cherish hearing from you. Thank you!
andrew brucato
thanks, Silvia great reflection
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Andy! I’m glad you liked it. Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
Sharon
How much do I know that feeling!! Chaos all around and whispering to your heart….You are my Anchor, in You do I trust. Then you can take a deep breath and smile at the world.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you so much Sharon. It is truly in re-anchoring ourselves to the One and Only Anchor we find our peace. Appreciate so much you reading and responding!
J.D. Wininger
Even though I pray for God to “fill me to the brim with peace, grace, and love” each day, I have to remember that I have to first get rid of everything else before the filling can happen. I love how your posts are always so “gently convicting” my friend. Thank you!
Sylvia Schroeder
J.D. Thanks. Convicting myself you know! Appreciate as always your comment!
Marilyn Nutter
Another post filled with reality, practicality, and God’s Word. It spoke to my heart. Thank you.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Marilyn. I am grateful God used it to speak to your heart, and thank you for your kind words.
Jeanne Doyon
So timely!! I’m not sure if I have any water left in my glass. Thanks for this. These thoughts have been in my head but I need them to calm my heart also.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Jeanne. I know what you mean. The glass does kind of run dry, doesn’t it! Thanks so much for commenting.
Kim
Hi Sylvia,
I, too, am unsettled & moving forward one day at a time. I want to move on & be done with living in the basement & live in our own home–hoping for the first of the year for that settling to begin. And then….it will only be the beginning. As I talked to my spiritual mom this morning, I said that it’s good to know that God never changes! As always, thanks for sharing!
Sylvia Schroeder
Kim, I appreciate your comment so much! I know fellow journey-ers understand the unsettled feeling. I do hope your home-hopping comes to a peaceful settledness. May God bless your move and decisions!