It was a busy week. No make that a busy two weeks. Okay…a busy year.
This week and next promise to be more of the same.
I was supposed to have gained an extra hour of sleep this past weekend with Daylight Savings Time, but I didn’t even notice.
It seems like busyness is part and parcel of our daily lives. I used to have conversations with people and when I would ask them how they were doing they would say, “Busy.” My response? “Well, that is better than being bored.” To be perfectly honest I hate being bored so there is some truth to that statement. But there comes a time when being bored (my synonym for relaxing) sounds awful good. Like now. I’m 73 and I am supposed to be slowing down and enjoying life. Well…I do enjoy life, but as for slowing down? That is a little tough to come by. And I know it is my fault. I have chosen to work out/ride my bike during my lunch hour. I have chosen to get up at 3:30 to have unbroken time at the office to prepare my sermons, read, and get done what needs done. I have chosen to read to the Kindergarten classes (5 total in two different schools) and now have taken on reading to a 3rd class Jon Gordon’s The Energy Bus for Kids once a week for 5 weeks. I have also chosen to take on reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to multiple 3rd grade classes in 2 different schools. (In one I designed it to be part of a rotation with the teacher and principal). And I have chosen to brainstorm with 14 other adults and teens about starting a Special Needs Ministry here at OVCF. Combine all of that with my regular visitation to the hospital and rehab centers, doctor visits, and other management stuff and it makes for a very busy schedule.
You know what is bad? I know I have done it to myself and actually like being busy. But there comes a point where I have to find a medium, a middle of the road spot. I can’t keep up this pace without it affecting my spirit, my health, my relationships, and my physical exercise time. The latter has been my “sanity” over the years, my go-to to keep me sharp and energetic. But my busy schedule is threatening to even push that out. I need to slow down on my own before God or my body or some life situation says, “You won’t slow down? Okay then, you won’t have any choice now.”
Years ago..and I mean many years ago…like in 1980 (yeah that long ago), the late Chuck Girard had an album called The Stand. (Chuck is the father of podcaster and former ZoeGirl singer, Alisa Childers. He passed away from cancer this year). One of the songs on the album was quirky, but pointed. Please give it a listen and see if applies to you or if I’m alone.
Very thankful for all the “busy” years Dick and I shared in ministry. Haven’t figured out how to “enjoy” slowing down yet, but the Lord is working to show me I have unlimited time to grow closer to Him and to help others using what He has taught me over the years.
What a great attitude Pam! Keep waiting on Him and learning His way for you two.
You are so busy, Bill, doing so many wonderful things, that the pace of it all makes me dizzy! Do take care of yourself, my friend. Sometimes, even a pastor needs to learn to say, “No.” Blessings!
Thanks Martha. I do covet your prayers as I try to figure things out. And yes, I no I need to say No. Trouble is: these were my “projects” I proposed. makes one question my sanity.
You are a busy man. I need to learn your time management skills, if you can juggle all of that, wowsa. In my prayers for you Bill, I have not prayed for your sanity, should I add that to the list. LOL
I know you pray for me, Gail, but I would request prayers for my sanity. 🙂
I like that song!
I think that just as long as you love what you do, then it’s ok to have a busy day.
Do remember that even Jethro told Moses that this was unsustainable and said, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out.” (Exodus 18:17–18)
But there does come a time when you do need to relax, as Jesus demonstrated when he was asleep on the boat during the storm.
I don’t know how long crossing to the other side of the sea took, but apparently enough time for a rough storm to surge, and His disciples to fear for their lives.
I like to get up in the morning and just go, especially when I things I need to do. But I do crash out early in the afternoon. I used to be able to go and go, but for some reason, I just lost that energy years ago.
Glad you like the song Ed. 🙂 As for going and going and then crashing: do you think age has anything to do with that? 🙂 🙂 And yes, I know it is unsustainable.