I’ve been racing through these last days of August. I feel the pressure of September pushing down on me. Schedules and planning and getting everything organized. All good things. Really good things — as long as they don’t take over.
Which I’ve let them do.
I can feel the anxiety. It takes over what I’m doing and my priorities are a bit askew. And then tonight, as I was reading a book I’ll be reviewing — How to Have a HEART for Your Kids (by Rachel Carman) — I realized just how much I need to step back and look at life through eyes that are rightly-ordered. And what does that mean? That means that when I view what I need to do and how I need to do it and when and what I say yes to and what I say no to and where I spend my time that all things are viewed through the filter of what the Lord wants for our family. Not what I think is important and want to do now.
And that, my friends, that takes work.
It means recognizing limits and boundaries. It means saying no to the “pressing” needs and saying “yes” to the needs of the little ones around me. So last night I chose to play cars and read books and laugh and build bridges. And I sat and talked with my older ones — and tried listening more. I worked hard letting all those things that need to get done sit in the “to do” pile for just a bit. It’s a schedule that’s rightly-ordered and surrendered.
I needed to slow down. And breathe.
The stuff doesn’t matter…..
Those faces matter.
Their hearts matters.
My heart matters.
Just breathe.
9 comments
I posted a post very similar to this one just last night actually. I totally understand what you are saying about the business and then God reminding you/us to slow down and cherish the things that really matter. Such a tricky juggle at times!
Aw, thank you for this post. This week is VBS. Plus I worked all day Monday and Tuesday because people at work are on vacation and I was needed there. I have been 100 mph trying to get all of our curriculum in order for September, plus all of our plans + schedules. Plus our cooktop cracked and needs to be replaced. Plus, plus, plus….I needed to be reminded to breathe…
So true! I think we tend to get wrapped up in the world’s standards and we need to focus on His expectations of us…specific to us (not specific to the “Jones” family). It is hard…good thing we have such a wonderful Guide 🙂
This time of year is so busy for everyone….us included. 🙂 YES, we have to take deep breaths. And remember what our priorities are!
for some reason, i’ve always been a loser when it comes to prioritizing… really i’m just a get-it-all-done-no-matter-what kind of girl and forget the ones that i love in the process. but, with a one and two year old, it’s impossible to forget about them. : ) so, now i just get nothing done but love on them. i’m okay with that for now.
you are good about knowing what’s too much and what needs to be done now and what doesn’t. just breathe and enjoy this sweet life the Lord has laid out before you.
WEll said!
::beautiful pictures:: This is so true. I may need to check this book out and read myself. I struggle with these things daily. However I have been so much better this week since we started school. I’ve scheduled all my to dos during the day when the kids are still at school. It’s working so far and after dinner is focused on the kids and their home work and our time spent together.
It’s bad when you have to be reminded to breathe…but oh my it’s so necessary! Breathe in…breathe out!
Know that I’m still here praying!
Psalms 62:7-8 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
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A beautiful reminder to breathe in the breath of Jesus and exhale the stress and worry!