The Business of Busyness

These days, I feel like I am the Mayor of Crazytown.  I guess that's what life with three very small children brings...constant activity!  We have always been busy people, but lately it seems like our house is Grand Central Station and our van is more of a NYC taxi.  And I'm pretty sure that we're not the only family that feels like we couldn't possibly jam one more activity or event into our already billowing calendar.  Our society is fast paced and in a way, you either fall in line or get dragged along.  I don't really remember it being like this when I was a little girl.  Maybe times have changed, maybe my parents were cautious, maybe my memory is selective.  Whatever the reason, it's of utmost importance to me to find the balm that alleviates the pressure of stress and over-activity that can plague a family.


For a pastor's family, a full calendar pretty much goes along with the territory.  And yet, I find myself towing a fine line.  My weak self often teeters between walking in love and thanks for the abundant blessings that God has poured upon me in this life and tip-toeing in exhaustion and weariness for the hectic and tedious days that often surround me.  Then it hits me...most days like a Mack truck...that my perspective is so often warped and centered around myself.  I wake up thinking of all the things that I have to do, all of the things that I don't have time to do but must do, and wondering, "How on earth am I going to do all this?  I don't have enough energy to keep up!"  Just then I feel that tap on my shoulder and whisper in my ear, "That energy is God's energy, and energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.  Do everything readily and cheerfully - no bickering, no second-guessing allowed!" (Phil. 2:13-14 The Message)  Hectic or calm, chaotic or peaceful, crazy or sane...God provides for us just what we need, just when we need it.  And all in order to do what He has set before us, in the way that makes Him proud.  When I'm burdened with exhaustion and my mind is clouded by the fog of sleepless nights, I hear within my soul, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  (I can hear my sister singing it to me now.)


Too often, I allow my circumstances to dictate my focus.  An over-flowing calendar, the demands of ministry, the needs of three very small (and very precious) children, to-do lists, and endless errands can be overwhelming.  Do I choose to be overwhelmed with burden and stress or to be overwhelmed with gratitude, joy, and blessings?  Perspective is a difficult thing to get right sometimes.  Naturally, we physically can only see things from our own vantage point.  And most days I need that gentle reminder to draw my strength from the Everlasting Life, to drink from the Living Water, and to find joy in even the small, every day tasks that have been entrusted to me.  Because even in this business of busyness, I have what I need, to do what I need to do, in just the way I'm supposed to do it...when my focus is beyond myself.


My most recent reminder came from my oldest Fossling as I put her to bed last night...
"Dear God, thank you for this day that you made.  Thank you for giving joy in our hearts.  Please help Lydia not to cry tonight.  Please help Cecilia to sleep.  Please let all of your creation sleep.  Help us to do what is right even when it's hard to do what's right.  Help us to be kind and loving to everyone.  Thank you for our family.  And God, we love you, we just love you so much. Amen."