The Business of Busy-ness

Sometimes I feel that I am simply mimicking my dog, Abby, and just spinning in circles! It seems that, as Lewis Carroll says, the "faster I go, the behinder I get!" Some days I never seem to catch up with myself. I thought life would be a bit slower and less busy when the children were grown and living their own lives...but this is simply not true, and I'm not quite sure why. I suspect that along the way, we have forgotten what is truly important and have become a bit overconfident in our own abilities...at least I fear this is true of me, and that is why I have trouble saying "No!" sometimes when I am asked to do something...because they OBVIOUSLY need me, and after all, who else could they get to do this thing? See what I mean? It's not that I think the world couldn't get along without me, it's just that I must be thinking somewhere in the recesses of my mind that if I don't do it, who will?

Recently, The Husband wrote an article for our church bulletin that speaks to this exact problem. Here's his take on it:
"Last week Emma [his dog] and I began clearing out some more of the land out back of our place. Well, actually I cleared while Emma scoured the whole place, sniffing, listening, hunting, digging, and chasing anything that moved. There wasn't a corner, hole, or brush pile she didn't inspect. When she couldn't find something big like a rabbit, she was plenty happy tormenting some poor defenseless crickets. It was a very busy day for her and that night she was so tired, she didn't even bother to eat. This, for Emma, is very unusual; she just plopped down on her bed and slept the rest of the night.

Ever had one of those days? Those days when you were so busy, had so much to do, so little time, that when you finally had a second to sit, you were gone--sound asleep? We are busy people, aren't we? Too busy, I'm thinking. Ever wonder if one day we will wake up and find that we have missed out on all the important things in life? Could it be someone wants us that busy? Isaiah says this in quietness and rest is our strength. Jesus invites us to come and take shelter in Him when we are tired and weary, and he promises us rest. This week, take some time to rest in the wonderful wide open arms of Jesus."

Perhaps this week I should just stop and find a moment in each day to spend some quiet time with God, resting in the arms of Jesus, and really think about what I need to accomplish. Then with renewed strength and perspective, take this day that is a gift from the Lord and use it for the things that really matter...and let those things that are not vital wait for another day. What do you think?

"...In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength..." Isaiah 30:15.

Thought for the Day

So what to do? Two Things, it seems to me. At least two.

Use up each day. Fill it overflowing with good. Deliberately enjoy it.

Two, begin now. Mend a fractured friendship, mail an overdue letter, repair a broken heart, lay aside a griveance, act on a noble impulse.

As we all know, "The night cometh."

~ Lanny Henninger

pushing past plateaus

I love my ruts...but I hate it when my weight is in one! I've been on a plateau for 3 weeks...no matter what I tried, it seemed, it made no difference! The evil scale stayed the same! But finally this week, there was some movement! A small move, but an acknowledgement that I was making an effort. I am afraid that I am not going to reach my original goal...it's just been so much harder this time, and there have been obstacles I've never encountered before. But I am determined, and even if I don't lose the 20 pounds by my goal date, I am NOT going to stop working toward that goal...AND I WILL ACHIEVE IT! I need to keep watching what I eat, keep moving and walking, and I need to keep seeing those pounds slip right off! Thank you, Father, for your help here and in all things!