Stress less

As a teenager I worked in a small town restaurant. Usually it was fun waiting on tables, chatting with happy people and serving good home style food. I saved enough tip money to buy my first car. On busy weekends people lined up out the door to wait for a table. That’s when fun gave way to frenzy. We often ran out of our featured specials and scrambled to wash silverware just to keep up with resetting tables. (No dishwashers back then.) Even patient customers became annoyed with diminishing menu options and harried servers. One day, I thought, I’ll have a job without so much stress.

After high school I started work as an accounting clerk in the city. I wore nice clothes, had my own office and my hair didn’t smell like deep-fried foods at the end of the day. I made a decent wage and thoroughly enjoyed my responsibilities. But every month’s end brought pressure. Spread sheets, balance sheets and sales reports for five branch locations were due ASAP as the calendar page turned. Inevitable glitches arose and the process dragged on. I thought back to my days in the restaurant and how the push only lasted as long as the supper rush hour.

When we got married I moved two hours away from almost everything and everyone that I knew. A job in the office of the local nursing home was a real blessing. Half the town either worked there or had a relative in care. I loved the interaction with coworkers, residents and their families. But – lo and behold – the job included stressful days. Apparently no job is hassle free. And maybe, (just maybe), I was bringing some of my own problems along with me.

I’ve been home on the farm now for 40 years. For the most part, I thrive on the variety of work I get to do. But I still have to check my anxiety at certain times and try to put things into proper perspective. I’m aware of predictable triggers for my fretfulness, but it doesn’t do much to alleviate the tension.

Where worry belongs

Currently my office is a shambles. Mountains of boxes threaten to take over – empty boxes, partially filled boxes, boxes that need to be returned and boxes I’m certain weren’t there yesterday. Ominous piles of paper clutter my desk – possibly harbouring important items that are overlooked or overdue. Worse than the mess around me is the worry within – a half dozen problems (or potential problems) linger like dark clouds on the horizon of my mind.

All these struggles, worries and heartaches could easily suck the joy and peace right out of my life. Or – I could take them where they belong. Lately a comforting motif emerges as God whispers to me through Bible readings, devotionals, sermons and songs. Instead of nurturing doubts about myself I could lean into someone willing and more than able to help. Come unto me and find rest. My burden is light, he says. Be still and know I am God . . . My peace I give you. . .

So okay – it’s time to stress less and trust more. Maybe you need that reminder today too. What do you think? Shall we pack up our troubles and put them in their place? Let me know if you need any boxes.