We live in a very BUSY world. Busy, busy, busy is how most of us would describe our lives. Busy with a side dish of GUILT.
Do you ever have this stream of self speak:
"I'm the WORST parent, I really must spend more time with my family, I can't get it all done, my house is a mess, I don't see my friends, we eat out too much, I don't spend enough time on my spirituality..." The list goes on.
My daily self-talk involves one or more of the above snippets. My family, at the moment, is juggling pre-closing (on our new house) mortgage nonsense, three kids with sports (three kids times two lessons each...minus one because one child only has one lesson...equals FIVE after-school lessons per week), planning construction/painting/etc for said new house, school projects, volunteering, planning an overseas trip, GRADUATE SCHOOL WORK (which usually gets the shaft until last-minute as a result of everything else), and trying to keep my house from looking like an insane asylum. I fear the above-list is similar to MOST of the people I know and love.
I have an encouragement for you. There IS a profound attack on the quality of our lives. It's not your imagination. Still, there is hope. The hope rests in grace and mercy. This is a VERY difficult concept for the Type-A-ers among us.
How does this translate into every day living? Here are some ideas:
1. KNOW THYSELF. Know what recharges you and shamelessly schedule a one a week refill. For moms, this is difficult. Don't feel guilty. MOST husbands/wives will get it, IF you communicate with him or her that you need a time alone. I repeat, DON'T FEEL GUILTY. A happy mom/dad is a happy family.
2. KNOW OTHERS. If you know that something recharges your loved ones, ALLOW them to recharge. For example, if your husband (or wife) needs to do something you wouldn't do (ride a motorcycle, go hiking, buy something...reasonable that won't put you in the poor house, have mercy and let them recharge with freedom.
3. LEARN THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES: There is a book called "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. It is a GREAT foundation of understanding that, most likely, the people in our immediate circle all refill their drained tanks in different ways. If you take stock on what fills your loved ones up then you won't waste the precious time you have with them. A little investment in loving others according to their needs goes a LONG LONG way.
4. TRY to slow down. Most likely things aren't as urgent as they feel. There is NO SUCH THING AS PERFECT. Take a breath. IF you can't slow down in the immediate, aim for slowing in the near future.
There is a season for everything. Things come and go. There is nothing new under the sun. The world will keep turning if we aren't the best and most potent versions of ourselves. Just remember to hug our family and friends. Say something kind to someone today. LOVE remains.
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