Pressing Around

And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” And he strictly ordered them not to make him known. Mark 3:9-12

There are some days when things fall into place and schedules work according to plan. And some days things get off schedule from the get-go. A needed element has gone missing and the entire household is turned upside down looking for it. Shoes, keys and hairbrushes are the most common goals of our hunting, but sometimes other things get lost or misplaced. And when these days happen, it can seem as if everything is pressing in and there is no space for breathing. As if one mistake has set off a chain reaction, a tumbling mess of lateness and mistakes. I have found that these are often the best days to take it slow, to lighten the load and rearrange the calendar. There is so much need and pain within and without us. And healing and tenderness are in such short supply. I find the days when things get lost an invitation to tenderness and slowing down.

The gospel talks of the overwhelming crowd that pressed in on Jesus. If we were honest for a second with ourselves, we would find that we are all very needy and pressing in on someone or something. God has big shoulders and broad arms and can encompass our aches and needs. There is so much torment within and without, and God's love stands ready with salve and healing, if we would but admit the ache we know so well.

Today, I want to remember that most of us have had a day or a season where everything and everyone was pressing in all around. Where we know ourselves to be this kind of overwhelmed, I pray that we can all make space for, and lean in towards God. For God's love is so broad. God's love is larger than the huge need we have. God's love is aching to be pressed in on, and to carry the load of us this day.