A small Overfill Alarm at my gas station
Good Morning, God!
I just happened to notice this small little box the other day while I was getting gas. I didn’t remember ever seeing it before. It clearly says it is an “Overfill Alarm.”
My instant response was WHY DON’T I HAVE ONE OF THOSE? I guess I was thinking, God, that IF I had an alarm like that — one that FLASHES and SQUEALS — I would have retired a few years ago.
Ha! Guess again!
You are right, God. I would have ignored the flashing light and put in ear plugs. Actually, I am pretty sure I DID have ear plugs in. I just really didn’t want to hear or know that I was on “overflow.”
What You had to do for me, God, was send me off to Snowmass for a 10-day silent retreat. That loosened the grip that adrenalin had on me. Busy wasn’t just about “helping” and being “useful” — there was an actual addiction to adrenalin.
Now I have slowed down and I have space in my day. I look back and I am dumbfounded that I was so slow to get it. Worse yet, I look around me and see a lot of folks on “overfill.” Since I was so determined to keep on doing all I was doing, I am at a loss as to how I might “help” others. Is it possible?
I had read all the books. I could repeat Dr. Arch Hart’s words on anhedonia — about how busy builds a WALL around our pleasure center. I loved Richard Swenson’s book on Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives. But, I just couldn’t apply it to myself.
I am thankful for Your help, God. Now, please help all the others who are just like me!
Story teller,
A Moment with God 
Wow! Are you sure you weren’t talking about me? Thanks for the alarm! Now to make the time to read the books!
KBT