It’s been on my mind that I want to begin to write more about the things close to my heart…My mission remains the same..”To change the world, one mom at a time.” Most of the time, I use humor, validation, helpful tips and realistic ideas to help change a mom’s world..However, I want to start taking time to share my heart…what I’ve been learning…reflecting on..things that matter…the real meat of life…I hope you will find my thoughts for you encouraging, and my prayer is that the things I share may speak into your life the way they have into mine. I was listening to a podcast yesterday where a blogger shared that if you can’t picture yourself writing about what you’re currently writing about for the next ten years, you’ll burn out….Well, in order to keep myself from burning out, I need to share a bit more of my faith with you. as it makes up the very core of my life. For those of you who don’t know, I grew up in the church, and now find myself in a life of ministry as a pastor’s wife. While I write from a Christian perspective, my hope is that my words will speak to those of you from all faith backgrounds.
I don’t know about you, but I frequently find myself in a place of feeling worn out, stretched beyond my comfort level, and spread far too thin. We’re moms…it’s only natural that we find ourselves so often feeling like we can’t handle one more thing…like one more ball in the air will cause our world to come crashing down…That’s not the life I want…It’s the life I often have, but not the one I want..In the midst of all our “busyness” do we ever stop to consider our priorities…the things that really matter? For so many, after long days of laundry, runny noses, sandwich making, carpool runs, trips up and down the grocery aisles (often with fussing children), household decisions, discipline, more laundry, breaking up fights, (you get the idea here), we allow ourselves to pull away from relationships. We tell ourselves that having REAL relationships with God and with others takes too much time — time we don’t have. We may say, “I have so much to do, the last thing I need to worry about is something intangible.” I’ve been there…so comfortable using my busyness…my exhaustion…my distractions..as excuses for my wrong behavior and my failing relationships with Christ and others….but at a price.
Am I saying that we should take on more? Wear ourselves ragged trying to do one more thing? No…but we need to keep moving forward….forward towards Christ (not away from Him and others.) The storms of life and the day to day chaos levels have escalated in my own life and there have been so many times where I’ve just wanted to stop…stop moving…stop trying…Consider the words of Albert Einstein, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you MUST keep moving.” Galatians 6:9 says, “So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” When life gets crazy and we feel like we can’t do it anymore, that is NOT the time to withdraw…We can’t allow ourselves to put our relationships on hold…to leave the Bible on the shelf…to keep ourselves from true community…to put off prayer…We can’t get tired of doing what is good…Here’s the real key…Our relationship with God (and others close to us) isn’t what we need to take the break from when we are tired/busy/stressed…it’s the vacation. HE is the calming force…the break we need so desperately…We only need to allow Him to take our burdens from us.
I was hit in the face several nights ago during my devotions with the following, (and it changed my world…) Matthew 11: 28- “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Allow Jesus to take your burdens…give them to Him…Lay it all down at His feet, and learn the rhythm of His grace…
