THE STILL SMALL VOICE

 

Well I do not know about what has been going on in your world ...but it certainly has been a whirlwind of a week here.  I am beyond thankful for the weekend and a little bit of rest.  The thought of making a big pot of sauce, doing some baking or crafting with my kiddos, a coffee date with my husband, watching Hallmark movies and taking a nap are all on the schedule for the weekend!

There are seasons in life that are so jam packed with events and things to do.   Many of us have demanding jobs, deadlines, parents who need our care, family or friends facing difficulties, piano lessons, dance lessons , sporting events and church commitments. It's easy to fill up our schedules with really good things but sometimes we pack them so full there is no time left to breathe.  The reality is we do create our schedules and sometimes make our life impossible running here and there.   We make choices about what we do.  There are 24 hours in each day!

 This fall I really wanted the twins to do something since their little sister would be taking dance lessons once a week.  The reality is though after Mike and I looked at our weekly schedule there was no time.   The boys are exhausted after school and need to rest.  The kids are all ready for bed by 7:00pm.   Our evenings and Saturday afternoons are for family. While in my mind this felt so unfair for the twins to not do a special something like their sister, it's a good thing.  It's the right choice for our family right now.  The boys do not care in the least and are incredibly happy.    I created a problem in my mind about making everything fair for the kids with their activities and there was not even a problem!   I have also always struggled with saying no to things. Then I would feel so much guilt when I finally did say no to something.  This is an area God has been working on for a while in my life and I am thankful He is.  

Yesterday when I came home from work, I looked in the yard and saw there were a few more outdoor things to get done.  My husband had been busily working outside during the week and had already done a lot.   But my brain started telling me, it's going to snow you better get out there, you can work a couple hours before it gets dark.   Then another quiet voice not filled with guilt said, "Go inside."    And a year ago I would not have listened to that second voice.  I would have pushed even when exhausted and worked outside.   Truth is, I was tired and was starting to get sick.  I needed to eat something and rest.  And I did just that.  I was asleep before 7:30.  My husband read the kids their stories, did all the bedtime routines and put them to bed.  And then again, a voice of guilt said, "you better get up there and help him" and then following that the still small voice said, "rest".  And again I listened to the second voice.     While this may seem silly, this is quite a victory for me.    The yard work will certainly get done and my children know I love them even if I was not the one who did their bedtime routine last night.     

I encourage you to listen to that still small voice inside.  Do not be guilted into doing something you know you should not be doing at the time.  God does not work that way.  He wants you to take care of yourself and have peace.   Goodness knows so many of us need a little bit more peace in our lives.  May you carve out some moments for rest this weekend.    Once we get a little rest and take care of ourselves we are able to do what we need to do with a better attitude and have peace!