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| Credit: revolutionannapolis.com |
And NO I don't mean the outer area on your paper. . . . though the concept is similar. I'm talking about the space we have left in the day for meaningful things. Do you know what that is in your life? Many days it doesn't seem like there's much margin left at the end of the day. Many of our nights are fraught with a non-sleeping baby, early waking toddler and night owl older kids (13 and almost 9 yrs.) so you can imagine the yin-yang pull on both S-Money$ and I to accommodate and meet everyones' 'needs. . . . Oh, I guess S-Money$ and I should be meeting each other's needs too - OOPS!
Due to some of the craziness in our life, I decided to pick up the book 'Breathe - Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life' by Keri Wyatt Kent. I received it several years ago through our church's MOPS group (Mothers of PreSchoolers). Years later, the words Keri shares are not only uplifting but definitely an encouragement for me to not get discouraged. . . but to keep aiming for that 'Sabbath Simplicity' that she speaks about in her book.
Within the first chapter I am convicted and humbled by the point she brings up,
"As much as you may think you want that intimacy with your heavenly Father, if you keep yourself too busy, you will squeeze that relationship to the edges of your life. It can happen whether you are too busy with your kids and home, your career, or even doing 'religious' things like teaching Sunday school or doing your homework for Bible study."
Having good intentions that don't materialize into action is futile. Each day, though, I'm faced with this reality. The issue with margin lies in my own choices - I know this. Like I shared with good friends the other night over dinner, I try to be everything for everyone - SuperMom for hubby, kids, etc. - but is that really glorifying the Father if by the end of the day I'm ready to collapse in a heap in my bed? If I volunteer only to dread the impending date out of sheer exhaustion & stress? Jesus was busy yet he was able to carve out the margin he needed to rest and be with the Father. Shouldn't this be more my example than everyone else I see running ragged as I mindlessly follow?
But I am not alone. I am not the only mother/wife/person searching for some sort of balance in life. Searching for that area of margin where I can live out 'Sabbath Simplicity' - or even just take in the moment and breathe. It's not just Keri's words that bring me to this realization that I need some change in my life and attitude, but also God's Word. His promise in Matthew 11:28 seem like a cool drink for my already parched heart. . . "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
He sends the invitation - "Come to me. . ". All I have to do is respond. I don't have all the answers everyday. If I did, then stress/exhaustion/frustration/tiredness wouldn't exist. But I do have an invitation. An invite to not only come to Him but also to seek his calling on what the margin in my life should be . . "and I will give you rest."
Dare I respond?
**Linked to: Raising Homemakers / Raising Arrows / Women Living Well
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