Last week I had the flu. The kind where I was totally out of commission for four days straight, and only crawled back into the real world because my husband caught it too. My world literally stopped. I couldn't parent. I didn't care much about anything at all. And I had to cancel or miss every event on my very full calendar for a whole week.
And for that I'm grateful! So very, very grateful.
Life is busy. Life is full. This is a blessing. But somehow, without even realizing it, I left the crazy busy of being a working Mom without any time, to become a the crazy busy stay at home home-schooling Mom who still didn't have any time. And you know what, as much fun as all of our busy was, it wasn't sustainable. I'd been prompted to slow down, to evaluate how my time was being spent. Shoot, our pastor even gave a very convicting sermon about stewarding our time towards God's purpose for our life.
I should have listened. But, I was too busy.
So God sent the flu. And I was left with no choice but to stop.
So I did.
After surviving four days of feeling worse than I've felt in a very long time, I reentered the world. I was grateful for those who had helped my family make it through my absence. I was grateful for my family and friends who made sure my children were entertained and loved on while Daddy had to go to work. And after meeting a friend at the park so the kids to could run around, I realized how limited I was physically after being so sick.
I physically could not sustain busy even if I tried. And so I chose to embrace this forced slowing down. I intentionally kept my calendar clear. I played all kinds of fun games with my kids while sitting down and letting my body heal and regain its strength. I spent time reflecting on our home school journey thus far and pondered and prayed over the direction it would go.
And through it I all I found joy.
"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) Day 1 of my flu this kept running through my head. Flippantly I though it meant I was supposed to stop and rest. In hindsight, it has meant so much more. It was God's reminder of what my purpose is and where my focus should be. I pray he continues to remind me of this as my body continues to regain its strength and the temptation to fill the calendar with "busy" comes calling.
And for that I'm grateful! So very, very grateful.
Life is busy. Life is full. This is a blessing. But somehow, without even realizing it, I left the crazy busy of being a working Mom without any time, to become a the crazy busy stay at home home-schooling Mom who still didn't have any time. And you know what, as much fun as all of our busy was, it wasn't sustainable. I'd been prompted to slow down, to evaluate how my time was being spent. Shoot, our pastor even gave a very convicting sermon about stewarding our time towards God's purpose for our life.
I should have listened. But, I was too busy.
So God sent the flu. And I was left with no choice but to stop.
So I did.
After surviving four days of feeling worse than I've felt in a very long time, I reentered the world. I was grateful for those who had helped my family make it through my absence. I was grateful for my family and friends who made sure my children were entertained and loved on while Daddy had to go to work. And after meeting a friend at the park so the kids to could run around, I realized how limited I was physically after being so sick.
I physically could not sustain busy even if I tried. And so I chose to embrace this forced slowing down. I intentionally kept my calendar clear. I played all kinds of fun games with my kids while sitting down and letting my body heal and regain its strength. I spent time reflecting on our home school journey thus far and pondered and prayed over the direction it would go.
And through it I all I found joy.
"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) Day 1 of my flu this kept running through my head. Flippantly I though it meant I was supposed to stop and rest. In hindsight, it has meant so much more. It was God's reminder of what my purpose is and where my focus should be. I pray he continues to remind me of this as my body continues to regain its strength and the temptation to fill the calendar with "busy" comes calling.