Overwhelmed.

I was frazzled approaching the counter. I had just arrived to the Boston Airport, paid the $30 at the kiosk and was already mentally preparing myself for my bag to be overweight and having to pay a fee.

When you grow up with Larry Ketchum as your father, you think even more about every single expense than the typical person. Even if the company is paying.

My bag was 49.8 pounds coming out here and ain’t no way would it be under the 50 on the way back.

Next in line, I lugged my bag up to the scale and stood there in disbelief.

50 pounds.

On the dot.

I looked at the woman assisting me and said in a sort of joking way, “Oh wow. That’s Jesus. This feels like a miracle. Jesus loves me!”

I couldn’t believe it wasn’t overweight.

I said something about how God answers little prayers like that, even the silly stupid ones.

She looked at me with such a stern face.

“Is your faith stupid?” she asked me.

Wow, what a question, lady.

“Things like this are not stupid. Isn’t that your faith? Didn’t you have faith?”

I was taken aback at her reply.

She had a point.

Little things like that aren’t stupid.

She asked me for my ID and we started chit chatting about being Christians.

I held up my credit card by mistake, not really realizing it. You know, things you just do when you’re overwhelmed and your brain is clearly not attached to your body.

“Oh no, hun I don’t need payment, just your ID — you know your bag is already paid for. It’s paid in full.”

She smirked at me with that last line.

And then she said something about my ID and my identity — that my identity was all I needed to prove and I didn’t have to pay anything.

Well wasn’t that a spiritual analogy.

I didn’t realize how much I needed the simple reminders. You know when you’re just overwhelmed and have a lot of feelings but can’t really put them into words?

Katrina reminded me of exactly what I needed to be reminded of in that moment.

I was holding back some tears in this 60 second long interaction. I told her I had just been overwhelmed and flustered and this was the exact reminder I needed.

Then she looked at me with the most sassy older sibling kind of look — like the look you might get when they find out you’ve been talking to your ex.

“Girlllll.”

Really serious look. Really serious “Girlllll.”

“What does God say to do when you’re overwhelmed?”

I thought quickly for the answer, like in Sunday school when you’re put on the spot. “Cast your burdens on him?”

“Mmmm hmmmm… and Activate the Word.”

She was so serious when she said this.

It took a second for this to click.

Then I knew exactly what she meant.

Activate the word of God when you’re overwhelmed.

Use Scripture to combat the feelings. Your identity is solid. It’s unwavering. It will never change. It’s perfectly fine to feel the overwhelming feelings — but we’re just being silly if we’re trying to carry it all ourselves.

Cast your cares on Him!

Know your identity in Him!

You are going to be fine! For he cares for you.

Have faith —even in the small things.

You are already paid for in full.

Your identity is in Him.

You just need to be reminded of that!

You’re good.

Little did Katrina know that just minutes before our interaction, I was driving to the airport, totally overwhelmed.

Wondering if I’m a fake. Telling myself that I don’t really know what I’m doing or talking about. That I’m “too much.” Worrying about my job. My life. Everything. And most of all - the term we all hate but it defines it all too well - imposter syndrome.

I was feeling Nostalgia. Sadness.

Wondering if I’m supposed to move back to New England. Not really wanting to move back. Happy in California but wondering what the heck I’m doing.

So much has changed.

I’ve changed.

Everything has changed.

Katrina was a breath of fresh air —reminding me of who I am and what to do when I feel overwhelmed.

You see, God is always working. Wherever you are. Whatever you’re feeling. Stop trying to figure out “why” you feel a certain way and just feel it. Name the feelings. And then name the truth! Name the scripture that you know is true.

All the little ways God shows us that he loves us and he’s with us are all over. It’s just up to us to slow down a little bit and realize that every moment and interaction is so precious.

We waste so much time in this life wishing to be in the next season. Wishing to have things figured out. Wanting the next thing. What if we waste our entire lives wishing time away?? Time goes by so quickly. Let’s not do that.

Meeting Katrina today for literally 3 minutes was like a hug from God. Maybe a hug and a slap on the hand actually, more like — “you silly goose, you don’t need to be overwhelmed! I got you! Read my word and use it! That’s why I gave it to you!”

As Christian’s we’re supposed to be different, right? Today I was reminded that I can show Christ by not letting the overwhelm of life overtake me.

How many of us run around like chickens with our heads cut off and Jesus is just like, “HELLO, I didn’t die on a cross for you to be stressed on earth for 80ish years. Take a breath, baby girl!”

God has me. God has all of my problems.

And he has ALL of yours too.

There’s nothing he can’t handle.

I think he knows what he’s doing. And how beautiful and amazing that this is the WORD of God! Activate this!

“Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah‬ ‭40

And then, in Gods perfect timing, as I’m walking to my gate, the bible app pops up the verse of the day—

“For no word from God will ever fail.”

Luke‬ ‭1:37‬

Are you kidding me.

God’s got us.

He reminds us in His word. And not only in scripture, but also in people.

And Katrina was my word from God today.

Written July 14, 2022