It has taken many years to learn the art of coordinating busyness. It will take many more, but will never be perfected. Mistakes will be made. Judgments will falter. But it is always pressed upon us and we must act according to each unique situation as well as current mood dictates.
Last week I looked over a calendar journal that I'd had kept from when my children were in grade school. I'm not a keeper- not a hanger on of sentimental items. But I happened to find this one in the back of a file cabinet while cleaning. In it, I was reminded of my busyness at that time. I was the volunteer coordinator for the school PTA, I was troop leader for my daughter's Girl Scout troop, I was a substitute teacher, I volunteered for my son's soccer team, I was in the church band, I taught Children's church on Sundays during the sermon. The list goes on and on. I was exhausted just turning the pages of the thick journal. How did I manage it all? I must have been so stressed out. But then memories come back. Yes. It was hard. At times it was stressful. But it was such a happy time too. We had fun. We spread our wings and stretched our legs and enjoyed every moment. Now I look at the current calendar on my wall. There are very few events listed. My 17 year old son has a few church activities that he loves, but I step back and let him have fun without me. Because who wants their mom hanging out when he's goofing around with the guys? My daughter is in college while holding two jobs. So she's more like a figment of my imagination at this point. All this being said, my calendar is empty. Yet I'm still happy. My career takes up at least 60 hours of my time a week, so the rest of the hours are precious. I've learned to say no without feeling guilty. I've found time to write my books. Time to relax. It's a very different life. But still happy. Recognizing the many blessings that God gives us in each portion of life is a gift in itself. I am so very grateful for every one of these moments. Whether they be cheering my preschool son in a soccer game, standing in front of the grocery store with my daughter selling Girl Scout cookies, or relaxing on my back porch with my laptop and a cup of coffee. Each is God's blessing - and I am thankful.
0 Comments
|