I DID IT AGAIN!

I hit the wall again!  

You’re probably smarter than I am. You probably know when too much is too much.

I haven’t yet figured out the elusive term – BALANCE.

A few months ago, I was sick. Not scary sick but down and out for the count. About a month went by before I was able to get back to a fairly normal routine. It took another couple of weeks to fully get back my energy.

While I was down, God reminded me (seven days in a row), “Be still and know that I am God.” Yes. Yes, I know. I’ll be patient in getting back to a normal routine. I’ll not worry about my to-do list getting dusty in the waiting.

But then…

Once my energy was back, I was full speed ahead! Non-stop. Every day.  

“Be still…”  

Yea, but…

I have to make up for lost time. 

I have so much to do. 

If I don’t do all the things now, I’ll be more behind later.

Smack! I did not see that wall coming.

“Be still…”

Exhaustion and his cousin, Grumpiness, caught up with me. And I listened. I repented of my trying to “do” instead of “be.”

God doesn’t want us rushing around driving ourselves (and our loved ones) crazy.

He tells us in scripture to “be still.”

He wants us to “rest in green meadows.”

He tells us to “meditate on scripture.”  

You can’t meditate on anything when you are racing a mile a minute and always planning your next step – or two or ten.  

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.  

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

Romans 7:15-20 NLT  

You’d think I’d have it down by now. But just like Paul, I mess it up over and over. I repent and refocus.

What did I do when I smacked into that wall? I looked for the things that I could change. I looked at the number of “time sucks” in my life. You know, those little things that add up. I muted my phone for a few days to eliminate distractions. I contemplated the number of things that I offered to help with or said yes to. I made it a point to pray more, worry less.

I found the YouVersion reading plan, “Breathing Room” by Sandra Stanley. Love it! You might also find it helpful.  

The Lord then gave these instructions to Moses.  “Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. You must keep the Sabbath day, for it is a holy day for you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death.

Exodus 31:12-15 NLT

I’m trying harder to make rest and stillness a priority rather than something I do only when there’s time for it. Are there changes that you need to make too?

Father, I am so sorry for the times that I’ve chosen “doing” over “being,” for the times that I’ve been too busy for the things that are truly important. Thank you for reminding me that You are in control and I don’t need to be. Please help me to make better choices and to know when to press forward and when to rest. In Jesus’ name, Amen!     

Mandy Hood

Mandy Hood is a board member and executive director of The Connection. She loves to facilitate women connecting with each other and helping them grow in their faith.Mandy and her husband have been married for 41 years and have 2 adult children, 2 in-law children and 3 grandchildren. Every year, they look forward to GramCamp – three days of spoiling and fun.