I guess I never realized how much I had taken or how hard I was driving myself until last year. I was finding fulfillment in the amount I could juggle, check off the list and accomplish in a day. Yet, I didn't realize how wound up and exhausted I was. Let's just say, I slept really well at night!
Let me take you back to February 2014. My husband and I went on a glorious getaway for TEN WHOLE DAYS! Michael & I have been married for 14 years and are the proud parents of five beautiful children. There are many days when we are just in survival mode. Do this! Go there! Get 'er done! We've set up a pretty good routine to manage our days and have mastered divide and conquer.
Little did I know this 1,400 mile road trip would be the first indication of my weariness. I probably slept most of the ride down. Seems to be the norm if you read my last blog post! We then boarded our ship and embarked on a Eastern caribbean cruise to 3 tropical islands, St Marten, St Thomas and Puerto Rico. Paradise or close too…imagine seven whole days of no schedule, no routine, no kids, no laundry, no tasks. Just relax and be! Someone paid to make your bed every day, turn down your sheets at night with a piece of chocolate on your pillow, an abundance of cuisine at your fingertips that you don't have to cook just eat, tropical breeze in the air, beautiful crystal clear ocean and a star filled sky view from your balcony. A glimpse of heaven....yes!
To say it was one of the most refreshing opportunities is an overstatement, but I have to admit the first few days, I was like a fish out of water. I starred in awe of those relaxing by the pool, sleeping, reading a book, tanning in the sun. For a busy mom of 5, days like these rarely exist! You think it would have been easy to just dive in, but it wasn't. This was a first as we hadn't been alone for this length of time since we starting having kids twelve years ago. Its amazing to me how quickly life goes by, and you can forget to breath. It was long overdue, and I didn't even realize how badly I needed it.
Its amazing how quickly life goes by, and you forget to breath.
Perhaps you can relate when I say this or not, but for me it felt REALLY weird. My husband on the other hand, he was all in on day one! He is a hard worker, but the guy has never had a problem with unwinding. I'll tell you that we have had many fights at the end of the day when I still see so much to do, and he's checked out relaxing on the couch. Here I am on this wonderful getaway, and I've had to allow myself to relax. Yes, allow because your life is driven by what you allow and don't allow. I allowed the list to lead, guide and demand me to "do, Do, DO!" Only my voice can say "Enough, enough, enough! Time for a break". Probably about the third day into this vacation, I felt myself ease into the beauty of relaxation, and it was so nice I have to say! What an eye opening experience for me and an opportunity to evaluate my life.
If I made an honest assessment, I would say most days I am running full throttle, peddle to the metal until I crash at the end of the night. My Martha mentality many times has overshadowed the beauty of life. Taking time to smell the roses and enjoy the every day wonders of life were happening too rarely for me, and yet I know I've been called to do so much. How do we find the balance in it all?
How do we find the balance in it all?
I believe the Lord gave us tremendous insight in His Word and example on how to live. Take a look in Genesis 1 when God created the heavens, the earth, the moon, the stars, the animals and every living thing and what did He do on that seventh day? He rested! The Creator of the Universe, The Beginning and The End, The Almighty, HE rested, and He blessed it! Rest my friend is blessed! Its what our body longs for and needs. Its something God set as an example for us to incorporate into our lives.
Out of curiosity, I googled the benefits of rest and here is what one blog stated from the Florida Hospital System:
God designed and created our bodies to rest. Isn't it like mankind to think that we have a better way of living? If we would follow the Bible example of finding even just one day in the week to rest, relax and unwind, how much more improved would our life be? So its worth asking, "How do we manage the Martha?"
It sounds like an oxymoron, but even a schedule needs to be protected from over management! Personally, the Lord has shown me very practical ways to conquer the every day grind. Years ago, He said to do 2 loads of laundry daily. This was to prevent the weekly pile up of 10 plus loads that needed washing, drying, folding and putting away. That's the worst!
Out of curiosity, I googled the benefits of rest and here is what one blog stated from the Florida Hospital System:
- Improved Memory – Lack of sleep can make it difficult for you to concentrate and retain information. When you sleep, your brain goes through all the activities and impressions of the day which is important for memory formation.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight – Sleep and metabolism are controlled by the same area of the brain. Sleep releases hormones that control appetite. Researchers at the University of Chicago found that dieters who were well rested lost more fat.
- Heart Health - A 2010 study found that C-reactive protein, which is associated with heart attack risk, was higher in people who got six or fewer hours of sleep a night.
- Reduce Stress – Sleep and stress have similar affects on your cardiovascular stress. Being well rested can reduce stress levels and improve your overall health.
God designed and created our bodies to rest. Isn't it like mankind to think that we have a better way of living? If we would follow the Bible example of finding even just one day in the week to rest, relax and unwind, how much more improved would our life be? So its worth asking, "How do we manage the Martha?"
"How do we manage the Martha?"
"Write 15 minutes a day" was another instruction when I wondered how I'd ever get started with my writing. Simple instructions likes these and many other examples have happened in my life where God will show me how to order my day when the list was overwhelming.
Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of my favorite verses, and it says to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight." I believe the key to balance and managing the Martha is including God in our every day, every thing. Simple, and yet how many times have I gotten through a day and realized I hadn't included Him at all?
I can remember when my son, Ethan, was into Bob the Builder and wanted to pass out Bob the Builder Valentines. I searched high and low, every store it seemed and to no avail, no one seemed to carry them. I had Ethan pick another character, and he went to school happy. However, I was driving and the Lord told me to stop at a Walgreens. Can you guess why? Yes, to show me Bob the Builder Valentines that sat on the shelf. This was such a profound moment to me because it opened my eyes to the truth that the Lord will be included in as much of my life that I would invite Him into.
Honestly, I hadn't even thought about asking Him where to find those Valentines. I mean, come on, doesn't God have better things to do? That day God whispered that He cared by showing me that had I asked, I wouldn't have had to run around town looking at all these stores and come up empty handed. I wouldn't have had to settle for something else and mostly that He cares about the littlest details in my life not just the complex or big events. He wants to help me! It was amazing to know that He was showing me His concern over something so minute and simple. He's just so good that way!
I'd love to tell you that I've mastered it now, but I haven't. I'm human like you. I miss it. I stumble. I forget to ask or choose not to listen. I'm distracted or too busy running. I still follow the Martha voice when I should be tuning into God's voice. Yet, there He is in my every day, still loving me. Still awaiting me to say "Lead me Lord". So, I guess its really that simple. A simple, heartfelt prayer to say "Lord, take my every day. I include You in it. Show me the way, and I'll do my best to follow after You. Thank You for Your grace and Your mercies that are new every morning."
Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of my favorite verses, and it says to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight." I believe the key to balance and managing the Martha is including God in our every day, every thing. Simple, and yet how many times have I gotten through a day and realized I hadn't included Him at all?
I can remember when my son, Ethan, was into Bob the Builder and wanted to pass out Bob the Builder Valentines. I searched high and low, every store it seemed and to no avail, no one seemed to carry them. I had Ethan pick another character, and he went to school happy. However, I was driving and the Lord told me to stop at a Walgreens. Can you guess why? Yes, to show me Bob the Builder Valentines that sat on the shelf. This was such a profound moment to me because it opened my eyes to the truth that the Lord will be included in as much of my life that I would invite Him into.
Honestly, I hadn't even thought about asking Him where to find those Valentines. I mean, come on, doesn't God have better things to do? That day God whispered that He cared by showing me that had I asked, I wouldn't have had to run around town looking at all these stores and come up empty handed. I wouldn't have had to settle for something else and mostly that He cares about the littlest details in my life not just the complex or big events. He wants to help me! It was amazing to know that He was showing me His concern over something so minute and simple. He's just so good that way!
I'd love to tell you that I've mastered it now, but I haven't. I'm human like you. I miss it. I stumble. I forget to ask or choose not to listen. I'm distracted or too busy running. I still follow the Martha voice when I should be tuning into God's voice. Yet, there He is in my every day, still loving me. Still awaiting me to say "Lead me Lord". So, I guess its really that simple. A simple, heartfelt prayer to say "Lord, take my every day. I include You in it. Show me the way, and I'll do my best to follow after You. Thank You for Your grace and Your mercies that are new every morning."
