Somebody stop this ride…I wanna get off!
Busy. Irritated. Frustrated. That’s how I feel. This month has been screaming by. So much going on, so little time. I feel like I’m on one of those nauseating carnival rides. And not the one you love to ride over and over again. The ride I’m on makes you sick to your stomach. The one you swear you’ll never ride again.
I desire for my children to have a wonderful life. I really do. What parent doesn’t want that for their little ones? From playdates with friends, to birthday party invites and the demands of school and home. Yes, all are very good things. But sometimes we have to say “no” to the good, to free up time for God’s best.
I haven’t been saying “no” enough lately.
Once busyness becomes the norm, aggravation soon settles in. Short angry outbursts, irritable moods, and harsh looks exchanged. Before you know it, relationships feel the burden of a heavy heart. There is a scripture in the gospel of John I call to mind whenever I begin to feel the pressure of doing too much. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” John 10:10a NKJV
The enemy of our souls has a master plan for children of the most high God. His first plan of attack is to distract by stealing our time. Busyness. His greatest weapon to get our eyes off of our God-given purpose in life. Once over-activity has begun, he kills our joy. Doing too much has a way of sucking all of the joy right out of our lives. And with no joy of the Lord, relationships soon die. Satan makes the death of our relationships his fatal blow.
After warning us of how the enemy works, Jesus then said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b NKJV
Friends, our God wants us to live full and blessed lives. But, busy doesn’t always mean best or blessed. If you are feeling heavily burdened today, then something needs to be reevaluated.
Friends, your God-given purpose is your calling. If your married it’s your husband. If you’re a mom or grandma, it’s your children and grandchildren. Or maybe it’s your committment to your church ministry. Whatever the reason for your busyness, if it is of Him, if the Lord has called you to it, it will not be burdensome. Remember, His yoke is easy, and His burden light.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
Make sure to stop by and visit Joanne at her blog Blessed…
Great word spoken here sweetie, bless you.
Excellent post, my friend! I would venture to say most of us needed to hear this. I know I get sucked in to good things and find myself neglecting the best thing.
We look at where we’re going to live using the criteria of it’s proximity to activities for our kids and ourselves. Then we find ourselves getting sucked into all this activity because it’s there, or the kids want it. What’s really important is keeping our family focused at home more because we only have these few years to ground them, to train them up in the way they should go.
Family dinners….almost a thing of the past. Families playing together, working together, serving together…all these things take a back seat because of all the activities the kids are involved in.
John 10:10 is a verse that will be in my handout for the bloggers retreat under the section about thieves.
Praying for you. Enjoy this time with your precious HS Senior! It’s a busy season and soon she’ll be dancing out the door to college 🙁 They grow so quickly, and then they are gone.
Joanne,
I agree… EXCELLENT…. and AMEN!
Joanne, a wonderful post today. I can relate very much to that spinning carnival ride. Seems like life comes at us fast and in my own life where things really affect me is when I don’t allow time with God. Great words of encouragement here today. -Laurie
I totally understand and need to re-evaluate some things myself.
Bless you!
Such sweet lemonade you made for us, Joanne! thanks for this wonderful reminder..
Bless you,
Susan
I can only handle being “busy” for so long and then I start to shut down. I think it’s an internal sensor! LOL. Which is good because I know when I’ve had enough before I’ve had enough. Does that make sense?
Great post.
Kim