My normal Saturday in Spring usually looks like an early morning soccer game followed by house work. Yay. Sometimes I think that I’ll get caught up on laundry or take on some outdoorsy project (like planting flowers that I know will die in three weeks) or cleaning up the backyard toys (that will be strewn across the lawn again by the end of the day).
What I usually accomplish are five to six loads of laundry… that I don’t fold. They just get moved from the bed to the couch to the bed to the floor… even though I’m promise myself I’ll put them away after I wash them. Never do. Not my style. Wish it was.
So this morning, I was sitting here looking around at my space thinking of all I NEED to get done. What will I do with the rest of the day? How do I want to spend my time? Can I finally convince myself to fold all the laundry?
And do you know what? There’s this huge list of things I need to do, but I’m not going to do any of it.
Do I understand what I’m saying? Yes. I do. I fully understand that if I stop maintaining today there will be even more to do tomorrow. If I sit, things will get even worse.
Also…Don’t go commenting that my husband should help, because he does. But when we each play a part, and one of us stops doing our part, then things start piling up.
My guess is you know exactly what I’m talking about. You know what it would mean if you even slowed down for a second. But today, that’s what I’m going to do, and I’m inviting you to join me. (LET’S BE CRAZY!)
Look. This is about something we both probably need. Rest.
Did you laugh out loud? It’s because it’s true. Rest is rare. I get it.
And the thought of even slowing down means we know that the mess around us will build up. But sometimes we need to clean out our mental space. Ya know? We need to stop trying to keep order in the space around us while emotionally stacking up issues in our hearts… never fully getting a minute to just… be.
We might have the clothes all washed, but our hearts need some sorting.
Come on, even Jesus went away to pray. Even Jesus took time to step away from the crowds pushing in on him. Our crowds just look like dishes sometimes. (It’s a good analogy. Go with it.)
Truth is, if I step away from the work and focus on my mental, emotional, spiritual needs… everyone in my family will benefit from it. If I want to better my family, I need to take time for myself.
Can’t promise the dishes or clothes or toys or whatever is waiting for you will somehow get done if you take a few hours off, but I can promise that when you give yourself permission to just… be.. you’ll have a different perspective of everything on the other side of your rest.
Need a permission slip? No. You don’t need permission from anyone. But just for fun… print this and put it where you (and everyone else) can see it. And when you’re ready… then you can take one whatever else needs your attention.
Deep breath.
SO much love,
Becky
