Just Too Busy Book Giveaway
I went to a family wedding this weekend. As I looked at the beautiful couple, my mind took a stroll down memory lane. I remember when the groom was born (he’s my husband’s cousin’s son). Our families grow up together and spent countless hours laughing, playing, in each other’s homes and worshiping at church together.
Countless summer nights catching fireflies, watermelon seed spitting contests, (Remember when they had seeds?), backyard ball games and flashlight tag in the warm months. Playing table games, watching and playing basketball and singing around the piano were favorite pastimes during the cold months. We were all barely making ends meet, so there were rarely any extra-curricular activities that required funding; fees, fuel or food out. But boy did our families have fun together! We actually knew each other and talked about life not our busy schedules. Life was simpler.
As I wiped tears from my eyes I thanked God for the depth of the relationships that were built out of savoring moments together as families.
What about you? What’s it like in your home? Do you have time to instill in your children all the things you want them to know about life, character, values and faith, or is your family just too busy? Are you on a head-on collision course with busyness?
In her book, Just Too Busy, Taking Your Family On a Radical Sabbatical, our very own Laced With Grace writer, Joanne Kraft humorously shares the 10 tell-tale signs that we’re just too busy. The one that grabbed me the most is her #1 tell-tail sign:
“I blinked, and my daughter was seventeen. It is disturbing to walk into your little girl’s room and watch her playing with her baby dolls only to step away for a moment and walk back in as she grabs her car keys and rushes past you, out the door and out of sight.”
As a mother of three grown adult children, I can testify this is true. Blink, and they were grown. Standing at the altar like the couple at the wedding this weekend, raising their own children like my daughters.
Joanne also describes the symptoms for a common disorder she calls A.D.D. (Activity Denial Disorder). We have the tendency to deny we’re just too busy.
“Denial is a funny little creature. It finds wicked pleasure in talking all of us busy moms into believing everything is just fine.” ~ Joanne Kraft
I highly recommend this book to all mom’s who are running on fumes – whether they be car fumes or an empty personal energy tank. Each of us will be able to identify with the symptoms. And all of our homes, families, and marriages will benefit by taking the challenge to take your family on a radical sabbatical. Joanne doesn’t just give lip service, she and her husband Paul led their family on a one year radical sabbatical. It was a sometimes humorous journey highlighted by breaking the bondage of busyness that had their family distracted from what really mattered, building lasting relationships with each other and the Lord. The end result…..
I encourage you to buy the book and find out for yourself.
In the blink of an eye your children will be grown. Will they be ready? Will you be ready?
We’re giving away a copy of “Just Too Busy” here at Laced With Grace. For a chance to win, comment on this post. FB, twitter, and/or blog about the book and you get another chance to win for each link you leave below (up to 4 chances per person). The winner will be announced on Saturday.
I just love Joanne! She’s not only a fellow LWG team member, she’s my friend. Might I add my very funny friend! What a sense of humor this woman has! Have you ever wondered what someone’s voice sounds like? Monday, I was privileged to interview Joanne on my radio show, Grace Café. Here’s the link to Listen to my interview with Joanne. You’ll soon realize you and your family just might need a radical sabbatical.
JOANNE KRAFT loves to encourage women. A sought-after speaker, Kraft has been published in Today’s Christian Woman, In Touch, ParentLife, Kyria, and P31 Woman Magazine. She serves as Marriage Study Leader, Leader of Inspire Christian Writers, and 911 Dispatcher in Sacramento County, CA.
She is married and has four children.
Visit Joanne at http://JoanneKraft.com and http://GraceandTruthLiving.com
Joanne Kraft’s personal website
Joanne’s ministry website
Joanne on FB
THIS JUST IN!
Joanne just informed me that she’s created a FREE study guide to go along with this book. You can find it here.
I’d love to check that book out! I try to keep our family commitments very light, but my husband loves the go-go-go lifestyle of having our son involved in a lot of stuff. I have a very strict church then school philosophy. Then if you have time for more, then pile it on!
tiannamae.blogspot.com
this looks like a very interesting book.. my kids are still small and I would want to cherish every moment with them but sometimes I can’t help to be just be too busy with other things… I guess this book can bring the focus back to the family.
It is so true, Marsha; we blink and our child(dren) are all grown up. Our son just turned 26, not sure where the years went 🙂
I have to check out Joanne’s book.