When My Heart is Overwhelmed

“Hear my cry, O God,

Attend to my prayer.

From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

Psalm 61:1-2

My eyes dart back and forth. My mouse runs all across the computer screen, trying to find the 1 tab out of 35 (literally…) that has the most looming deadline.

Notification buzzes. Page freezes up. Music shuffles. I’ve got an ACT test to study for, a writing deadline to meet (this one, actually), a math assignment that I just can’t seem to understand, a book to publish in a month, laundry to fold, a video production coming up, an English paper to edit, supper to help with, a meeting to plan…

I’ve had enough.

Sitting on the hillside, knees drawn up to my chest, I am quiet. I let the sun kiss my upturned face and the breeze caress my soul. This, my little stone altar on the side of the hill, is my special place. I come here from time to time, when I really need to get away, and usually I spend a long time praying and rambling and questioning and listening. But today, I am silent. I don’t need words; Jesus is here anyway, giving me, as usual, just what my heart needs: peace.

I don’t have lots of time today, but I stay there long enough. When my footsteps finally lead back to the house, I glance over my shoulder once more and sigh, “I’ll be back.”

“When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock higher than I…”