I may be dating myself, but perhaps you remember when Saturday morning cartoons would be interrupted with the most annoying sound in the world. Then you you would hear, “We interrupt this program for an important message from your emergency broadcasting system.” Right in the middle of the show. The sound was annoying enough. What was even more annoying was that 99.9% of the time it wasn’t an important message at all. It was a test or something that mattered very little to my life–at least to the best of my knowledge.
In modern times, they have done away with that message on TV. (Thank goodness!) Now it is my schedule that gets interrupted. My health or my family’s, changes of someone else’s plans, even unexpected blessings can change things in a heartbeat. My first reaction is usually annoyance, just as it was when I was trying to watch TV. I’m so attached to that planner that it is almost an appendage. How dare something intervene! It’s that attitude that is the very reason God has to step in.
I am hearing more and more lately from people who are burnt out–just too busy and tired from their day to day responsibilities–responsibilities that we often place on ourselves. Lately, I have been one of those people. It’s very against my nature to be looking for a break. I am most definitely a do-er. I LOVE to have a full calendar. Adding events makes me feel (falsely) significant–like we are doing important things that matter. It means we have opportunities. It also means we have less time for some things that might be really important. But for the first time in my life, I have finally breathed a sigh of relief when a few things got canceled here or there. Even as I type this, I am sick enough that I had to cancel a field trip we had scheduled for today–one that we really wanted to go on. I often view times like this as God forcing me to take a minute to breathe and step back. Surprisingly enough, even being under the weather, it’s been a great day. A little R&R was exactly what I needed. That and all the extra hugs, kisses, and cuddles I have gotten today (probably because I wasn’t hurrying them out the door). I am so glad I was forced to take this little break!
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 NIV
God does have a perfect plan for us. But sometimes we are so busy acting like the rest of the world that we miss it. The rest of the world is letting life rush by in a whirlwind and so are we. If God calls us to be “in the world, but not of the world,” why would He want our schedules to look like everyone else’s?
So, I have a new goal for the rest of our school year (and possibly my life)–to not plan so much. I want to have more time to sit and enjoy teaching my kids fun stuff or just playing games. I want to not be so exhausted when my husband comes home at night. I want to leave enough breathing room to listen to God and his gentle nudging, actually following through on his promptings.
How do you leave room for God? What tips do you have for deciding whether an activity is important enough to go on your calendar?
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Christa says
I’m an also a chronic over-planner. One thing that helps is to ask if this is something only I can do. If it is, it has higher priority to go on my schedule. If someone else can do it, I might try reaching out to them. Great post! Thanks!
Christa recently posted…The Success Checklist
admin says
That is a great tip. I think we get caught up in thinking we are the ones who have to do it, when life could go on without us!
Carrie says
One of the things that I think God has been leading me to do lately is to ask Him what He wants me to do. I believe that we can plan things and that’s okay, but if we miss what He wants us to do then we are missing everything that is most important. (This is a work in progress….whew!) I can so easily and do get wrapped up in the way that I think it should be and ultimately I am really missing out. I am trying to remember to pray for His directions so I don’t miss the Divine appointments that he wants me to be a part of.
admin says
Definitely. One of the wisest women I ever had the pleasure of studying with said she prayed every that God would reveal the top 3 things she needed to focus on each day. When I do that, I find God’s list often looks quite different than mine. My day goes better too!
Kristy as Giftie Etcetera says
I am too busy. My counselor is working with me on self-care first, then dealing with life.
Kristy as Giftie Etcetera recently posted…3 Common Reasons for Planner Fail (and How to Overcome Them)
admin says
That is an ongoing struggle I think lots of us deal with, if not most of us. I think taking care of yourself takes recommitting daily. I hope you are able to enjoy some me-time soon!