Prayer About My Restless Antsy Heart

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Heavenly Father, I don’t have “ants in my pants”, but I am antsy. I don’t have “restless leg syndrome”, but I do have a restless heart. That’s why the command to be still and know that you are God, comes like a life-giving rebuke and a kiss from heaven. Please bring the settling and centering power of the gospel to bear—for my sake and the benefit of those around me.

I’m not sure what all’s going on inside of me. I haven’t been able to identify all the issues… but I know I’m not as peaceful, quiet or trusting as I want to be… or as you intend.

When I get in this anxious, edgy, squirmy place I usually run to my control idols. I try to micro-manage the chaos… and whoever and whatever is in sight. I start acting like an orphan or the 4th member of the Trinity… vacillating between irritation and indifference. I either multiply my words ad nauseam or withdraw into a sulky silence. I cannot remember a time when any of this ever led to anything good. It usually makes me less than a joy to be around.

So I humble myself before you, loving Father. I come boldly to an occupied throne of grace… throwing down my plastic scepter and presumption about being in control. You will be exalted among the nations, so be exalted in my heart… my day… my circumstances. You are God and I am not. You are in control and I am not. You are working in all things for our good and your glory.

Lord Jesus, take captive my roaming thoughts. As you spoke and stilled the tossing waves for nervous disciples, speak and still my disquieted emotions—even if nothing or no one around me changes. As you harnessed the power of the wind, harness the passions of my will, that I might obey the gospel of grace. So very Amen, I pray, in your mighty and merciful name.

ANTSY DOES TIME

1. Antsy does Time, like Unwind, has a death theme.   Unlike the characters of Unwind where they are being put to death, Antsy Does Time explores the prospect of death.   From the beginning where there is the accidental death of the balloon handler, to the near death of Antsy’s father from a heart attack and the “prospective” death of Gunnar the reader highlights the different reaction of each case.

  2. Antsy is my favorite character as he seems very mature for his age and is a loyal friend.   He is very connected to his family and tried to do something important for a person he thought was dying.

  3. The main conflict in the story is that Antsy’s friend Gunnar has a terminal illness and is expected to die within 6 months and Antsy does not know how to deal with it emotionally.

  4. The conflict is resolved by Antsy doing something meaningful for his friend which begins with him donating a month of his life to Gunnar.

  5. The time period of the novel is present day as everything that is described is the same as it would happen today.   For example, the Thanksgiving parade, school, and the way friends and family are portrayed.

  6. The novel does not have a dystopian society as Unwind.   The family unit, behavior and attitudes are the same as we have in the present day and come across very realistic.   The characters in this book could be someone you are at school with or even your next door neighbors.

  7. The climax of the story is when Antsy has found out Gunnar is not going to die but has gained so much support for Gunnar that he is due to give his speech in front of all the people at school.   Then, his father has a heart attack and he is faced with the real prospect of death.

  8. My favorite scene is when Antsy and Lexie take Old Man Crawley to Prospect Park and they go on the Zip Line.

  9. The genre of the story is “realistic fiction” which means that the story itself is not true but in real life it could...