I Am Too Busy

While working on my blog this week, I started two posts with very different topics but ended up stalling and leaving both unfinished for the time being. I think there was a reason for this; God was telling me He had another direction for my weekly blog.

I really struggled this week trying to accomplish all that I needed to, including keeping up with all my routine tasks. To put it frankly, this week I just failed. I even missed my Bible study because I got caught up in the pile of never-ending things-to-do, lost track of time, and forgot all about it.

I think most women can relate. We wear so many different hats and have a variety of responsibilities. Sometimes it’s simply overwhelming. I feel pulled in so many directions, and then I have to choose what tasks are the most important and put them higher on the priority list. Then, I feel guilty for not being able to check off more completed items from that never-ending list.

I needed that Bible study this week. Having fellowship with other Christian women not only allows me to grow closer to God, better understand His Word, and focus on His path for me, but it is also a way to unburden myself a bit each week and vocalize my stressors and doubts in a safe environment around others who can understand.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

In his sermon a few weeks ago, my pastor stated that “If you’re too busy for God, then you’re too busy.” That hit me hard because it’s so true in my life. We are told in Colossians 3:2 to, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things,” but that is often hard to do. God should be first in my life all the time, but I admit most of the time, the demands of the world win out.

I am married, and we have three children. We also have pets and farm animals to tend to. We are a busy family, so very rarely is there a day of the week when we don’t have anything scheduled.

There are sports practices/games/meets, band activities, church youth group, 4-H, piano lessons, boy scouts, school club activities, college prep meetings…the list goes on. It becomes more chaotic adding on my responsibilities outside of the workday including school board meetings, 4-H project leader activities, Bible study, book club, random online work meetings, and my new blog. My husband has his own list as well. It gets exhausting.

Then, we try to plan out some time to spend together doing something fun as a family. Isn’t that ridiculous, having to schedule family time? It shouldn’t be that way.

When we do have a rare “free” day, there are tons of chores around the house and property that need attention. Let’s just say, I’d be embarrassed if I had any company right now. My housework has unfortunately fallen to the bottom of my priority list. There is literally not enough time in a day.

The Struggle is Real

I also started a new job a couple of months ago, and anyone who has ever worked knows starting a new job can be both exciting and stressful as you try to learn all you can as quickly as possible.

I’m a very diligent and overachieving person in that I want my work to be thorough and correct, so I probably spend much more time than I should making sure everything is up to my high expectations before I submit it. Being a perfectionist can be a detriment because I document several hours each night after my workday finishes which takes precious time away from everything else.

Tonight, while finishing up some charting for work, making dinner, checking over the alterations of my daughter’s prom dress, getting my boys ready for tomorrow, and trying to work on my blog, my middle child projectile vomited all over the bathroom, which halted everything else while I tended to him.

After a thorough deep-clean of the bathroom (Look, I got some cleaning done!), the kids are now in bed, my husband is back from jujitsu and a last-minute shopping trip for me, and I’m reclined across two chairs thinking about how tired I am, both physically and mentally.

It’s during times like these I reflect on one of my all-time favorite Bible passages, an especially great go-to during times of chaos: Psalm 46.

In verse 10, which is very significant in my walk with Christ, it reads, “…Be still and know that I am God.” This statement is so simple, yet so powerful. During all the hustle and bustle of life, it’s important to remember to stop. Just stop. Put your phone down, get away from everyone else, and for a few moments relax, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and be still.

It’s during these times of stillness that I often sense God the most. I encourage you to take time to sit in quiet contemplation and feel God’s presence and rejoice in it! He is everywhere, all the time, but we don’t often take the time during our day to acknowledge and find comfort in that.

This is exemplified in the Bible through the story of Martha. In Luke 10: 38-42, Jesus and his disciples went to the home of Martha. Like any good hostess, Martha went about preparing her home and a meal for her guests.

I could only imagine what Martha was feeling during that time. Jesus, the Son of God, showed up to her house with 12 of His closest friends to rest and fellowship. If she was anything like me, Martha probably went into panic mode throwing clutter into closets and under beds. She was likely thinking of all the things she needed to quickly clean and what food and drinks she needed to organize and prepare to feed over a dozen extra people, while making sure everyone, especially Jesus, had a comfortable seat.

Then, Martha looked over and saw her sister Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to Him speak while she was running around doing everything. She didn’t take this well, and I admit in that moment I would have probably been aggravated too.

For those that don’t know this story, Martha went to Jesus and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

To a likely highly stressed Martha, Jesus answered, “Martha, Martha…you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

For many of us, this passage may be difficult to comprehend. Our society looks down on idleness and laziness and praises hard work and service to others. Even the Bible instructs us on this, “The slacker craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent is fully satisfied,” (Proverbs 13:4).

However, idleness is not what is being highlighted in this passage. Jesus, God come to earth as man, is literally sitting in Martha’s home, and she is missing it! She is so busy trying to do all these things she feels is important, when the most important thing in the world is sitting right in front of her.

Are you a Martha today? I know I am at times. It’s always go, go, go, and I often forget to stop, be still, and bask in the presence of my heavenly Father. He is always there right beside me, but I’m often too busy to notice.

Rejoice, Even in the Chaos

I was fortunate to be able to attend a school field trip this week with my two boys who are in elementary school. We went to the circus.

If you have ever been on an elementary field trip, you know it can be a bit hectic at times. Then, throw in thousands of other people trying to funnel into a large venue through a few doors in the cold wind and rain, and you can imagine it was quite an undertaking. God bless all the teachers and school staff who planned and attended the activity.

I’m somewhat introverted, so I’m not big into huge crowds. Furthermore, the Lord knows I’m not often a very patient person, although I have been trying to work on this. Outside the circus venue, there were signs up before the entrances informing everyone that big bags and purses weren’t allowed inside. I don’t know how many people they had to send back to their cars with purses after standing in that long line.

It aggravates me that people ignore things like that and hold up the line, although it shouldn’t. I should have more compassion that they had to go back to their car and stand in line again.

We also had a group in front of us including some young girls who kept playing around in line, and one who even decided to kick a puddle of water that flew back onto us. When we finally got inside and the attendant was scanning tickets, the same group said they didn’t have tickets yet and thought they could buy them inside. The attendant then had to direct them back outside and around to another door that led to the box office.

Although annoyed, I was thankful to finally be inside where it was warm and dry. Weaving through the crowd, I found my seat next to my five-year-old son. My 10-year-old, who now thinks it’s embarrassing to sit by his mom, sat by his buddies instead.

As the production began and my stress level relaxed, I kept looking at my youngest son and relishing his excitement as he smiled, jumped up and down, and cheered. The few times I discretely glanced back at my oldest son, I saw him smiling and laughing with his friends, especially during the intense acts that have you cringing and putting your hands over your eyes, praying that the people doing flips on a piece of metal spinning high up in the air don’t fall to their deaths.

I am the happiest when I see my children exhibiting childhood wonder and joy. In that moment, I wanted to bottle up that feeling and keep it forever. I thought to myself, Thank you Jesus, for my kids and for this moment.

Later, I prayed for another reason, as my sister, who I carpooled with, drove us home in the pouring rain. However, that is a digressive topic.

It’s important to remember no matter how hectic our lives get, God is the constant, and He is always in control. The end of Psalm 46:10 reads, “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Amen!

Exalt God today, and every day. We only get one life, so enjoy every chaotic moment and brush off the little annoyances. Also, remember to take time not only for yourself, but especially for your heavenly Father in those quiet, still moments.

Have a blessed week!

-Becky