It's not easy to not be busy, because there are so many normal things we have to do, and so many extra things we could do. And I don't know about you, but being busy makes me feel accomplished!
But what do we miss out on by being busy?
Relaxation Relaxation isn't just for weekends and holidays. It should be for every day. At the end of your work, you should be able to sit and put your feet up and enjoy your family. Talk to your husband. Let your body rest. Good Health Our bodies know when we've had too much, and they tell us in hundreds of different ways. Physical stress produces illness of all kinds. Lack of sleep is a common problem, and you know you're not getting enough. How do I know? Because that's how we live in this society.
The Simple Things Do you ever sit and watch the leaves fall in autumn? Or listen to the birds sing on your front porch? Have you made a pie from scratch, and then enjoyed it with your family? Do you send your kids out to play, or go and watch them play? Do you watch them build blocks, or have them play so you can "do stuff?" Ouch! I miss too many of these things by being busy.
Hearing God Even in our own homes, it's so easy to get wrapped up in things so that we don't hear that still small voice. I was convicted of this recently when I caught myself checking my phone for emails, texts, etc. too much and for no good reason. My free time tends to get used up doing such trivial things. Imagine the time we used to have before technology gave us more to do!
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Are we ever still anymore? Sometimes I forget to be still! But being still allows us to meditate on God's goodness, His word, and hear His voice.
Relationships Relationships take time. And presence. And eye-to-eye contact. I think personal relationships are sadly missing in our modern world. Talking on the phone, texting, and Faceboook are all extremely useful, but can never be a substitute for those relationships we value most.
Parenting If you have kids, you know this is a full-time job. But parenting isn't just feeding and clothing; it's talking, training, laughing, and example-setting. Parenting doesn't happen on the way to soccer practice or via text message. It doesn't happen while watching TV together each night. The end result of our parenting is the kind of adults our kids grow up to be. So, what kind of adults are we producing right now?
I'm writing this to remind you and me to take time and smell the roses.
