restored.

As each day of this year has unfolded, it has brought with it newness and redemption that only Jesus can provide.   When I started the school year I told the Lord that I was done with my life being characterized by stress.
I strongly believe that stress comes in many packages and is in most cases, is an inevitable part of this life.  However, I don't know about you, but for me stress robs my ability to see how powerfully present the Lord is in my dad to day life and therefore shifts my faith and focus from the Lord onto myself.   Nothing about stress feels good or prompts good decision making, but I had no idea how I was actually going to combat the many stress-filled realities in my life and actively choose Jesus over the bondage of stress.  I remember saying to the Lord, "I know that my good intentions to not let stress ambush my life and compromise my faith are not enough to actually live in a way that honors You. . .so I'm asking you to help me find positive ways to manage my stress." 
I have no idea how to articulate how graciously God continues to answer that prayer in my life, other than to say that every time I take the time to surrender my stress through activities like lap swimming, my heart is transformed and my ability to experience the Lord is restored.   It feels really good to be able to take a deep breath and feel my heart swell with gratitude at the graciousness of the Lord.   There is no one like you, God!