After a loud yell of frustration, my sister walked into my room and saw the mountain of clothes, shoes, and books which accumulated in my tirade. Her eyebrow raised, needing explanation as to why it looked like Hurricane Katrina had blown through my room. “Look, I’m stressed out, okay? I’m late, I have a very important meeting this afternoon and I have nothing to wear. Nothing! To! Wear! It’s a major Clothes Crisis!”
She knows my antics and without saying a word, she pulled a teal cardigan from my clothes, grabbed a thin belt to wrap around my waist, changed my jewelry and with that I was ready for work. It was like Spit Spot! [Minus Mary Poppins.]
Because I’m an emotional basket-case when I’m stressed, I gave her a hug and let out a squeal. She was not empathetic to my “Clothes Crisis” so she simply patted my back as I squeezed her and told me I was late for work. “Wait,” I said. “I have to make my bed!”
Dumbfounded and frustrated, she asked why I was making my bed rather than fighting traffic. “Oh that’s simple, Alex. A clean, well-made bed is my comfort. When everything is life, work, or my room is a mess, I always have my bed to look to as peace and solidarity. It’s my symbol.” I looked for the brass band to enter my room as I sang a Cabaret life lesson to my sister.
But I’m not the only one who needs reminders of peace. In Genesis 9 God reiterated the word covenant seven times in nine scriptures. The biblical word covenant means promise from God. God told Noah he would remember His covenant symbol (a rainbow) was a reminder to all living creatures on earth (9:17). Till this day, I remember God’s promise to humanity when I see a rainbow.
When everything in life is chaotic, ugly, depressing, and messy, what do you hold on to? What are your reminders? If we don’t have reference points (promises and covenants), we can get lost in the mess and forget the promises God has given us. Hold on to what the psalmist says,
“The promises of the Lord are pure, like silver refined in a furnace and purified seven times… God’s way is perfect!” The promise of the Lord has proved to be true. (Psalm 12:6; 18:30)