One day when I was shopping, I came across this t-shirt.

After reading the words, my heart sank.  Now before I start sounding like a lecture, I do think that is the trouble with society these days.  We somehow have bought the lie that the more we do, the better we are.  The more we contribute, the more we are liked.  The buzz word on the internet seems to be “hustle.”  Somehow scrambling and going beyond our limits has become a good thing.

For the past several months, God has been making it clear to me that I have been one of these people.  I like to help.  I like to make a difference.  I like to achieve.  But the problem has been that it has come at the expense of myself and even my family at times.  So I am trying to take a step back.

One thing I have done well for the past year or two is try to take a definite break on Sundays.  I try to avoid (or at least limit) social media.  Generally I read a book or take a nap.  I also try to limit our family’s activities for all of our sakes.  We need a breather.  Now sometimes activities cannot be help.  I am not all-powerful when it comes to rescheduling weddings or graduation open houses or even my son’s baseball schedule – that is not my place obviously.  But if we do have a crowded Sunday, I try to make sure that there is space in our schedule on another day.  With 4 kids, sometimes that can be challenging.  But I want my kids to know that one cannot be busy all of the time and still remain sane.

I want to rest.  I do not want to be in a hurry all of the time.  And my podcast playlist has been filled with recordings that remind me that I do not need to do it all.  That slowing down is possible.  Becoming less of an over achiever will take some time.  But I think I am finally on the right path.  And I am trusting God to teach me a better rhythm to my schedule.

By the way, did you notice that I have not written on this blog in over 5 months? I thought not.  And I am not apologizing.  Although I have had post ideas in my head, I have not found the time to write them.  I finally am convinced that is perfectly fine.  My time to have more of a platform might come at a later day.  Or it might not.  Either way is fine.  Now if you will excuse me, I need to go finish up a few things before I spend most of the afternoon at the pool with my kids!

P.S. I do hope to write several posts about favorite Christian authors again this summer.  That is definitely one of my goals – to read more!  Probably I will not share about as many authors as last year or be quite as scheduled.  But I do enjoy sharing about different books that have made a positive impact on my life.