Living life full blast all the way to the margin is really taking a toll on us. I went for a walk on the beach today and on the way back to my house, I took a shortcut down one of my favorite streets. I have had my eye on a house on that street that I would love to buy someday, so I occasionally walk that way and pray over it. Today, there was a family in the street with their small children just learning to ride bikes. I stopped and struck up a conversation about living on Edisto. I quickly found out that they both have high-powered jobs, live in Ft. Lauderdale and come to their home on Edisto just twice a year. She asked me how it was to live here full time. Of course, I shared how wonderful the slow-paced lifestyle is and how healthy living is really quite easy here. Her eyes immediately teared up. She shared with me that she wished she could quit her job, stay home with her children and slow life down. When her kids were small, she did not even want to be with them all day—she loved traveling with her high-powered job. And now they were over committed financially with several houses around the country and they did not even have time to vacation! What are we doing to ourselves?
My youngest just graduated from high school and left last week for The Citadel. It seems like he grew up in a blink! If you could let go of one burden today, what would it be? A financial obligation? A job you said yes to, but should have said no? I am glad I stopped to make conversation. Life was not intended to be lived at full blast with no margin. We have slowed our lives down here at Edisto and have no regrets. I don’t think I am missing a thing. How about you? First Place 4 Health helps us to pay attention to the boundaries or lack of boundaries in our life. There should be no area of our life that feels like it is running away from us. Balance is hard, but not impossible, if we continue to “seek first His kingdom."
VICKI HEATH
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My high school aged nephew said once, "God never gives us more than we can handle, but we sometimes give ourselves more than we can handle." Our FP4H group has discussed this often. If we don't have time for the things that we KNOW God wants us to do, like FP4H accountability goals, then why are we doing all these things that keep us from doing the bare minimum spiritually? It's always a tough balance, but one worth examining periodically...what we do & don't do w/our time.
ReplyDeleteI recently had to look at all the commitments that I am working on in my church life. I honestly knew I was over-committed, but have a problem saying NO to the ministry leaders. Some of the commitments were draining the life right out of me...so I stepped up and said no to working in one of the children's ministries at our church. I did this so that the Women's Ministry I lead won't suffer. I have felt quite free in my decision...and yes, the ministry is still going forward even without me - imagine that!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeing a single Mom makes it really hard to slow down and enjoy life. It seems like we are always running somewhere and doing something!! We have been riding our bikes though and it feels good to be able to just get out and enjoy the nature (before the nasty Canadian winter)!! Hopefully we will be able to have a nice routine once school starts again. Hope you have enjoyed your summer!!!
ReplyDeleteWe should NOT feel guilty for saying "no" to anything that will keep us from fulfilling God-given responsibilities. Otherwise, it's kind of like saying that God wants us to put volunteer work, over the responsibilities we KNOW we're neglecting. If God doesn't provide a replacement, then maybe He plans for that ministry to end. Even if someone comes to us & says that "God" brought us to their mind.
ReplyDeleteFor so many years I was committed to a job, pushing my husband into commitments of larger house, larger cars, larger vacations; you catch the story. Then one year we both retired, moved to a small house in the country where both our sons and their families have ended up living beside us. But best of all we were led to a small country church where my husband accepted the Lord. I can not begin to tell you all the blessings we have recieved from our smaller, less worldly committed lives.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting as just last night I handed out to my First Place class a "tidbit" about the connection between stress and eating and how sometimes something as simple as a bubble bath can help "slow things down". When we moved a year ago and I started at a new church, I jumped right in with both feet doing exactly what I told myself I was not going to do. But when we started First Place and I was going to be leading it, I knew I would have to back off on other duties. I resigned from several other committments and have said "NO" to other more recent requests. I still have days when I feel stressed, but more often now I have the time to sit and read my Bible, crochet or love on my dog to regain my calm.
ReplyDeleteGod commands us to rest. We show God's love when we obey. Resting in our heavenly father is a great place to be. Blessings to all.
ReplyDeleteYes My Family Has Told Me I Never Say NO But Now With First Place I Am Starting To Say No And I Am Taking Time For Me. So Thank You Lord for Bring First Place Into My Life
ReplyDeleteLove You All
First Place Family
When my kids were younger & wanted to add something to their clubs/activities, I used to ask them what they wanted it to take the place of...what did they want to quit to start doing the new thing. Sometimes they did decide to quit something, sometimes they decided not to do the new thing after all. I think we're all busy enough that we should either say "no" more often, or should decide not to add something, without removing something else. I'm w/Patty...thanks FP4H! :-)
ReplyDeleteSometimes we have to reallocate to be balanced, the portions change as rites of passage and events happen, but most priorities should stay the same but not always the same time allocations. God stays on the top of the list and I know that I have to take care of myself with what I have learned in First Place for Health, so that I can take care of someone else.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning to say no to things but still wish we didn't have the financial burdens and I could stay home with my kids. Sometimes it can't be avoided but we need to make time for the important people in our lives. Life is a gift and I want to follow God's plan for my life. Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteJerrilee is our random winner! Congratulations Jerrilee! Thanks for all the comments. Hope we can all look for ways to slow life down.
ReplyDelete