a busy life.

October 07, 2013

I feel the need to begin every blog lately with, "I am SO busy" so as to explain myself, because my posts are so few and far between these days. {sigh} All too often, it seems there's just not enough time in the day.

And then, I received this e-mail last week from our Pastor, entitled, "A Busy Life":

"I have this haunting thought that when my wife and kids reflect on my life the primary thought in their minds will be: Well, he was a busy man.

How many times a day do you ask someone how they are, and they answer, "Oh, busy. Life sure is moving fast, very busy." How did busyness become a badge of honor? Why do we all just laugh about the fact that many of us are driving around with our hair on fire? At what point do we say: "This is kind of insane."

{Face palm} Convicting, much?

The passage for Sunday was John 15 - Abiding in Jesus.

Email continued: "Remain in me." The key to living a healthy and productive life is to remain in Jesus.

How do we do that? What would it look like for us to "remain" in Jesus in the midst of our meetings, projects, appointments, and practices? Is there more to life than just hanging on?

I look at my life and have to think - what's really important? What serves an eternal purpose? I'd like to think I prioritize my time well. I'm fast, I'm efficient, I think things through. I'm a planner. There's not a ton of things I do that are unnecessary because between work, everyday household chores, mothering three kids, being a wife, etc. there's just not a ton of time left to waste. If I'm honest though, there's probably a lot of things that could be put on hold - that perhaps don't have to be done just right then. My check-list doesn't have to be punched in order. It doesn't have to be perfectly completed for me to have a successful day. For a few tangible examples: 1.) My house doesn't have to be completely spotless to have guests over. This would be my Mary versus Martha mentality that I need to let go of. The carpet doesn't have to get vacuumed this very moment. 2.) The personal investment of stopping to watch that 5 minute Youtube video with Silas that he's been begging me to watch with him is more important than a rug. Investing in him = way more valuable than a clean carpet this very instant that I want it done. 3.) I don't have to work out every single morning. If the baby wakes up during my workout time and needs some snuggles, that should be okay. I am not a failure if I do not accomplish every duty I think has to be done.

Also, in doing those things, how am I doing them? Am I just surviving, barely holding on - or am I abiding in Him? Even the days that are inevitably busy, it makes a world of difference the mindset in which I am doing them.

Our Pastor encouraged us to make a "Stop/Start List". What are some things in my life that I could/should take out and some things that I should put in? An example he gave was that he has started to go to bed a little earlier, so he can wake up earlier to first, spend time in the Word to start the day and second, spend time with his wife and kids before they leave for school. This is definitely something I have on my mind today. It's a challenging thought.

{thinking, thinking, thinking...}

What are some things you would stop/start?

And now, to catch up on some photos... unless you're on IG {Instagram}, then you've already seen them! ;)

"Mom, I'm stuck!"

We are exhausted at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. I mean, it was NOT an eventful night!

I love this.

Me and my sweet E.

real life moments.

The kid could totally walk if he wanted to.

15 month check-up.
23 pounds (35th percentile)
31.25 inches (50th percentile)

Eli, the fish.

he found the sandbox.

Peek-a-boo Mimi.

Eli started trying to write "Eli Jackson" for his name. I love how he sounded it out {not knowing how to spell Jackson}
J-A-K-X-S-I-N

My workspace.

Not quite awake yet after his nap.

Dusty and Silas watching the movie about Apple and Steve Jobs.
#applegeeks

Finally finished FocusT25. I preached it for 15 weeks, so here's my results. Overall, I loved the program. There were SO many great workouts.
I did not see a ton of difference between mid way through and the end,
but was fighting a kidney infection the last two weeks.
I probably shouldn't have been working out in the first place and definitely couldn't push it! AND, I am losing my summer tan :( boo!