Overwhelmed: We use this word all of the time. “I am overwhelmed” means that I have so much
to do and not sure where to start! I am
overwhelmed at school trying to get lesson plans ready for my absence. I am overwhelmed at home trying to get
clothes ready for Africa but keeping up with my regular laundry and household
responsibilities. I am overwhelmed as a
mom as I try to make things better for Ally who is missing her best friend. I am overwhelmed as a team member who wants
to make sure that she does her part and is there for the rest of the team. I am overwhelmed as a daughter because I want
to spend as much time with mom as possible before I leave. I am overwhelmed as a wife because I want to
spend as much time with Scott before I leave and yet all of this has to be
done. Overwhelmed, we are all
overwhelmed. The dictionary defines
overwhelmed as: 1) to affect someone
very strongly 2) to surge over and submerge 3) bury or drown beneath a huge
mass. Yep, that defines overwhelmed for
me! But does it really define overwhelm
for me?
Last night while working around the house I found a new way to
think of overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed by God! I heard the song “Overwhelmed” by Big Daddy
Weave and started thinking of how God overwhelms me!
God has overwhelmed me with wonderful people who have
supported this trip from the beginning.
My husband, Scott, could have asked me to not do this but he has quietly
sat back and supported me! He is an
amazing man! My mom, not that she is in
favor of me going, has shown compassion and understanding as to why I would
want to leave the comforts of my home and travel to Africa. My superintendent, Mr. Marshall, and my
principal, Mr. Goodwin, were very supportive from the start. They could have easily said that my job was
at risk or time off was not possible but they didn’t. My instructional assistants, Donna, Ruth,
Amy, and Paula, will have to carry the load at school for me-how blessed I am
to have them in my room caring for my students while I am away. I was overwhelmed with wonderful financial
supporters that sent money or bought jewelry.
I have been overwhelmed with prayer warriors that have covered me in
prayer and continue to do so. I was
overwhelmed by Mt. Pulaski Christian Church for welcoming an outsider on this
trip-we will forever be family!
Overwhelmed-I am not drowning in anything right now but God’s
grace and mercy! As the song says, “I delight myself in You, captivated by your
beauty!” God has overwhelmed all of us
with His unconditional love, His grace and mercy! It is all there for us to grab on to but we
have to do just that-take it!
My countdown app says 10 days… I am overwhelmed with all I
have to do but I am more overwhelmed at what God has planned for our team, for
my heart, for my life. To experience
Africa is exciting but to experience Africa by being God’s hand, feet, and eyes-that
is overwhelming! Have you been
overwhelmed lately?
Blessings,
Tori
The link for the song, Overwhelmed by Big Daddy Weave http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oxXwRWFTo
