Do you ever find yourself juggling too many things?
I do.
If I don’t take the time to evaluate my life, I’ll keep on believing that I’m the busiest person in the world and there’s no hope of slowing down.
How do we evaluate our life when we’re juggling like crazy?
We start as we honestly answer these questions.
What fills my time?
Is there anything I’m doing that isn’t absolutely necessary?
[ctt template=”4″ link=”DcZTA” via=”yes” ]Do I need to say “no” to one or two so that I can say “yes” to a more restful family and a more rested me? #TheMendedHeart @suzanneeller[/ctt]
When do I find myself juggling the most?
Is any of this self-imposed and, if so, what can I do about that?
Do I have to do everything? Do I ask others to help? Do I allow others to help?
Do I have time stealers — those things that become habit or addictive – that take away from things that I really love or want to do?
Am I willing to put those time stealers (or activities that seem important but are negotiable) aside for a week?
What does that look like? (Make a plan.)
Several years ago I started asking these questions every six months. The answers are often eye-opening. I’ve learned that I pile things on my plate, and if I didn’t slow it down every six months or so to evaluate my life, I’d just keep piling them on until they toppled (and I came down with them).
There are seasons we’ll juggle, but we don’t have to live this way in every season.
Slow it down today. Answer the questions as honestly as you can. Make at least one change.
Praise God, he’ll show us how to bring balance back one small step at a time.
I am about to be off from work for nine days for a much needed respite. Thank you for your words. They have inspired and encouraged me. May God bless you and your ministry.
What challenges you raise today for putting aside the time takers in my life – the internet (facebook especially) is #1 on my list. I can easily spend an hour or more drifting around on facebook, playing the games and chatting. I start out my day on the internet with devotions and then send a note to my daughters that includes a verse from scripture. But after that instead of spending some quiet moments with God or with my hubby I hurry to see what’s new on facebook. As I write this I see clearly some changes that need to be made. God bless you and your ministry.
Your post was very timely for me. Thank you. For the last 5 weeks I have been recovering from surgery. During that time I have learned the need for rest & rejuvenation. It hasn’t come easy. I am the type of person who stays on the go until my body collapses. I will be coming to the end of my recovery period in just a few short weeks. It will be very easy for me to slip back into my old habits. Thank you for the reminder to slow down and enjoy my “evening” of renewal & rest in the Lord.
Slowing down has been on my heart a lot lately. I’m not terribly busy with lots of go here and there things at the moment, but I’ve been making myself busier than I need to be at home and have noticed the stress level go up as I try to fit this and that in around my kids instead of resting and spending time with them. They are still young and before I know it we’ll be super busy with this sport, that activity, this project, and that commitment. I’m working on slowing down to pour into them and our family!
Many blessings to you, Suzie. I pray you are able to step away from things and rest and be refreshed too!
I know the Lord has been speaking to me of late about slowing down. This is at least the second blog post in two days about taking a break from the internet. He often uses two or three others to confirm what He is speaking to me.
Thank you for this post, Suzie and for reminding us what is truly important.
I am a women that thrives on being busy. As a business owner it keeps my mind more positive when it’s engaged and active. But I have come to value a period of rest each morning . . .coffee and bible in hand to stay in touch with my Father. It truly grounds me so I can come back to God throughout the busy day. As I plan each day, each week, rest time is planned along with everything else life brings for a business owner, mom of 2 girls and wife. Thanks for reminding us of the value of rest. Let us not grow weary, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest . . . . To not grow weary we must rest. Resting in the Lord gives us strength.
God is so good to meet us where we are. Thank you for reminding us of the need for rest and time listening to the Lord. The evening then morning concept from God’s word was refreshing and convicting all at the same time. The computer in general with Internet, email, Facebook, blogs, etc. Is my biggest taker of time.
Thanks for the timely reminder to breathe…
Your devotion today spoke to me. It’s time to reevaluate what consumes my time so that I can realign my time on things that really matter.
Like one of your earlier comments, I have also been getting the message about things that steal time away from God. I hear you Lord. So I pledge to take time off from Facebook and Twitter for the next 7 days and instead of reading other peoples thoughts I will listen to God’s still small voice.
Last night I went to bed and cried myself to sleep because of the exhausting day, week, last 6 months or even as far back as the last 4 years I’ve had. Trying to slow down becomes a daily task for me. God often reminds me when I cry myself to sleep. Being as pastors wife can be both exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. Thanks for letting God use you once again for yet another reminder. Blessings!
Thanks so much for the reminder. This is something I need to always look at is my priorities. Taking a personal evaluation several times a year is essential for retuning our lives to what God would have them be. For many, it takes a serious situation to us to see that. Leaning on the Holy Spirit when I can’t rest physically or mentally rest has been a huge help – knowing that my burdens can be carried by Christ. I pray that God will work in all those moms/women who feel they are on overload and assist with redirecting their lives to what God would have for them. Its an amazing journey when God is present!
God is speaking directly to me through you! Yesterday was one of those days where my to do list was longer than the day due to an upcoming vacation and just getting home from the lake. Also, my day started out at 5:30 am by backing into my daughters car. I had not seen my husband in a week and he was looking forward to his normal calm wife. Well, by the time he got home I was so whipped into a frenzy that the evening did not go well! My husband reminded me that he is the one that I should turn to since I hid the car incident all day and made my self all the more anxious. What I really needed to do was to sit down and hand my list to God and ask Him what I really needed to accomplish that day for his glory! Thank you for the reminder this morning of that very fact!
We all tend to over do in many areas of our lives. I have found when I get too busy and too tired, I take it out on my teen-agers. I have really tried to slow down and enjoy them because soon they will be gone. Last night we sat outside with a fire roasting marshmallows at 10:30 – what fun even though it was raining.
This came at a perfect time for me! I always feel so guilty if I don’t get “everything” done. Thank you so much for the reminder that it can all wait!
Good idea about giving up the internet for a week. It’s amazing how fast time goes by while “surfing” the internet. I find myself justifying that time by what I’m reading–devotionals, etc.–but I think I’ll take on the challenge of giving it up for a spell and read the words from my Bible instead. I always wish I had more Bible time, and here’s how to get it. 🙂
Thsnk you for speaking/writing from your heart and being transparent. I very much needed this today!
Your message came right on time! I’ve been feeling the stress of everyday life lately. My body has physically felt the stress with headaches and back pain. I’ve been anticipating, waiting and longing for the day and time I can simply rest. Many people have the missed conceived notion that stay at home moms have it easy and they can sit around and be idle or lazy most days; I beg to differ! My days are consumed with caring for a busy 22 month old, taking care of my home and family needs as well as studying to finish up my Masters degree. Many days its a challenge, but your message hit home and helped me come to the conclusion that I have to rest and take some time-whether it’s a few minutes or a designated day- just for Joy.
REST – the one-word resolution for my 2011. I have had to learn how to rest, though, because it doesn’t come easy for this wife and mama who is a doer, doer, doer. And to stop to rest has always equated itself with laziness in my mind. I’ve come to realize how wrong that thinking has been. One of my strategies has been to take a “Sabbath”, a day of rest, to regroup, reconnect with my family, and just do nothing. On that day I don’t check emails, facebook, blogs or even go near my computer. It has been such a blessing and a needed break. My husband says I’ve been “more still” than he’s ever seen me! REST – it’s starting to sink in and I like it!
I know I need to relax but not always easy to do, as I feel the need to constantly be doing something. I need to retrain myself and know God is there for me.
I have been involuntarily unemployed for 18 months. As I reflect over this period of time I find that I have not spent nearly enough time with the Lord. Marriage and family issues as well as severe depression got the best of me and I felt so much self-pity as I felt totally deserted by everyone. If I had spent more time with the Lord each day I would have realized that he is the only one who was there 24×7. He was the one who gave me the strength to get through each day; he was the one who held onto me as I felt worthless as the world around me was falling apart and it is his grace that has gotten me through each day even though I could not see it then but can now as I read and saw through your words this morning. I know I need to focus more on him than anyone or anything else in my life. He is and will continue to be there for me as I seek direction in my life. I don’t have to be afraid or look elsewhere (internet, television, etc.)for answers. The answers are found in His book that sits in front of me right now and in the prayers that I will use to reach out to him this morning. Thank you Lord for blessing me with this devotion meant for me today!
Great minds think alike!!! I also like to get things done and sometimes find it hard to get in GODS rest and listen to Him….but in spite of, God will always help me thru!!
What a great reminder of why I took a week vacation and did not make plans. I have truly enjoyed having very few “have-to-do’s”. What a blessing to hear God reiterate the need for rest through you. Thank you!
Thank you for following your heart on this one. Needed this reminder. Thank you
Slowing down and resting unfortunately in a society that is ever increasingly busy are often frowned upon. I often feel that others consider my effort to cut back as laziness and “tsk” that I just can’t cut it. It is hard to juggle,God,family,church and work and keep everything in perspective. Often my house is messy,I run behind, get frustrated with myself and others. I want to glorify God in all areas! I am working on just the right balance and definately focusing on God’s truth and not the world’s. I am working on having a more confident heart in who I am in Christ!
This is the first time I have visited your blog and it came at a good time. I was just thinking it has been such a busy week with life and work, that i haven’t really thank God for everything that has happened because I have been to busy. I want to take that time and thank him now for everything. I have been thru alot in the last few months and God has not left me at all. God Bless.
Slowing it down is just where I am at. I have fallen away from spending time with the Lord, so far that I am unable to hear his voice any more. Day after day I know he is still with me as I can feel Him and see His work being done. Last night though, I had taken a moment to stop and ask him to show me where and when in my life I can commit time on reading his word to spend time with him and get a better grip on what I need to be sharing with those who don’t really know him as they should. It is clear to me that God knows our hearts even before we even know where we are. He has planted this devotion well before I had even asked for his help. I am so thankful to have such an amazing Father as our Lord, to look out and plant those seeds.
I couldn’t have read this blog at a better time! I have been feeling too busy for the things that should matter the most for quite sometime! This has helped me put things back in perspective especially taking time for God and my family! Thanks so much
Thanks, You really touched my soul today. Very much how I need to slow down, be still and listen to GOD. Each day walk is getting better. Thanks – Much love
Suzie, What a great devotional and I SO needed it! It’s given me a fresh new perspective this morning. As the end of the week approaches, I tend to become weary and worn out from the Monday-Friday fully-charged, over-booked scheduled.
Being reminded that it’s not only okay but vital to slow down and include resting with God as part of our daily schedule is so encouraging to me.
Thanks for sharing your heart today! It’s one of the many things I love about you. 🙂
I so needed to read this today. I feel, almost constantly, like I’m “falling short” in so many areas of life, even though I really don’t stop (doing/giving) until I fall into bed very late every night. Lately, I’ve been staying up even later to keep up with an extra busy week. During the day I’m feeling scattered (more than usual), forgetting things and being emotional and quick to raise my voice or even cry over something that frustrates me. It finally occured to me, last night, after a particularly stressful day, that my poor short term memory, lack of patience and weepiness is probably due to lack of sleep and rest! Seems pretty obvious now that I look it all collectively. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not going to be a very good mother, wife, employee, sister, friend, daughter, volunteer…anything if I’m not taking care of myself first and getting enough rest! It’s something I’ve known for a while, but I often need reminding when I get caught up in life’s business. Thank you for the confirmation and inspiration!
Thank you for this gentle reminder that I do indeed need to rest. Even days when my schedule isn’t busy, I find things to keep busy with around the house, and go to bed each night exhausted rather than joyous and ready to ‘rest’. I need to take some time to re-evaluate where my priorities are and adjust accordingly. Thank you again!
Refocusing on what’s most important came to mind as I read your message. God did give us 24 hours in a day and so often I’m guilty of using too little of it in serving Him. My prayer is that, taking it one day at a time, I will make my ” list of priorities” to glorify Him and not to find selfish, personal satisfaction.
Thank you so much! Reading this was perfect timing and was just talking to my husband last night about needing to slow down and spend more time with God and my family. You have inspired me to start today!
I came to your blog from the Proverbs 31 devotion this morning. I’m so thankful for those daily devotions because God really uses them to speak with me right where I am in life. Lately He’s been trying to get me to evaluate my priorities, slow down, and truly surrender to Him. But in my mind I keep asking, “But what if I don’t accomplish everything that needs to get done?” I know how ridiculous it is to ask God such a question, but I can’t seem to let go. He’s chipping away at my stubborness little by little with frequent reminders of His power and my need to surrender, mostly through those devotions. Thank you for letting Him use you to speak to people like me! Your questions posed will be in my mind today as I let God help me reconsider my life and how it needs to change.
With the end of school year activities, I have felt so busy and heard more than one person talk about the craziness. This is a good reminder to slow down and how I run on empty and become more frazzled when my time of rest with God suffers. Thanks.
I love the timing of the Lord. This devotion was perfect for me today. I actually just got back from vacation and feel revitalized and feel as though I have new direction. However, I also know that I don’t want to slip back into the pattern of running my self empty. I know that I must take time for myself, despite my busy schedule. The most important thing to me is my daily connection with my Heavenly Father. Once that has been established, He will walk with me through my day and help me not to overwhelm myself with other “stuff.” Thank you for the reminder.
How timely for me. As I type this, I am late for work, facing deadlines, pulled in many directions and certainly needed a reminder. Thanks for providing it!
I was struck by the mention of “time stealers”- I have thought of things as time wasters before, but calling them stealers changes my perspective. It is a much stronger word. God bless and thanks for the encouragement!
Well, that hit home. Between working full time plus, full time school, family problems, issues, phone calls, emails, non stop I really do try to make room for my devotions, special daily prayers for my grandchildren. But often the pressures of just ‘living’ seem to take precedence over the light that I need to shine in my life. I fit him in instead of letting him take over. It shouldn’t be so hard because I find time to listen to my christian music watch my christian teachings while working. I just need to STOP. Take a breath, read my bible and let him talk to me and trust me… I so need those goosebumps right now when I know he is not only there but working in my life. That surrealistic ‘knowing’ that never ceases to amaze me. So today, I am going to STOP and listen to my Father’s words and let him soothe my ruffled spirit. -thanks!
This was such a GOOD reminder….summer vacation started two weeks ago, but I can’t recall a day that was vacation. But VBS ended last night, due to rain now summer rec today, so let a peaceful day commence!!!! Well, as peaceful as three young boys can make a day 🙂
Thank you for your timely message. I am a very busy professional working in a fast-paced, highly charged, stressful ministry that leaves me little time for my family, friends, or time alone with the Lord. God is tugging at my heart strings to refocus on Him and to be open to His purpose and blessings in my life. Work-life balance has always been an issue for me and unfortunately moving from a secular to Christian environment has not helped that. I really appreciate your approach of seeing evening and rest as the beginning of the day, the necessary start before engaging in work.
I think I need to allow God to re-organize my life, starting with spending time with Him in the evening. I often think I should start my day with devotions in the morning, but often times I feel rushed. Looking at it from the perspective of “evening” first, I think I will feel refreshed in the morning when I start my rest with time with God in the evening. Thanks for the insight!
Well, this was confirmation at it’s finest. In recent weeks The Holy Spirit was speaking to my heart about being a ‘good steward’ of my ‘time.’ I enjoy reading facebook to see what my family and friends are up to, or reading blogs to see what other women are doing and dealing with in life. It can, many times, consume too much time. I would give 10 minutes to my morning devotion and then a good hour to the ‘other’ stuff (or more if it was blog reading.) Time to reprioritize. Time to soothe the inner turmoil. Blessings!
Guilty. I think we all need to periodically do this assessment of our time to prioritize adn rest. Thanks for the reminder!
I thank you for your message today. I really do need to slow down and take time for the real important things of life. I too will cut down my time on the internet and also start asking God to prioritize my day. When I seek him first, I know my day will go well…
Hello, me! I work as a transcriptionist, and my husband is without a job. I’m setting aside the things I love — like God and family — to make our ends meet. The result is that I’m tired and cranky and I have no peace. I need to walk away from accepting work. It’s no wonder I feel so under the weather.
Wow, this could not have come on a better day! My husband and I were just bickering about this very subject on the way to work this morning, about how much I fill up the calendar with social activities…I feel those things are important, but at the cost of my relationship with my husband and son? My relationship with God? Absolutely not! We will have to sit down together tonight and pray over the calendar and schedule together, and start prioritizing things…
Thank you so much for the encouragement and helping me see that this very conversation with my husband and devotional from you are a message from God, kicking me upside the head 😉
Thank you for your ministry, it was just what I needed to hear this morning. It’s hard to give up, but I know I won’t regret it, and it’s nonsense compared to what God has for me 😉
Thanks for pointing out “time stealers”. The internet is definitely one in my life…it’s just so easy to sit in front of the computer and be “entertained”. I even sometimes read the Bible on the internet instead of sitting down with the real Book. What a virtual world we live in, where everything is “high speed”. I have learned that the times when I have truly slowed down and relished in the moment are the times when I am truly the happiest and most at peace with my life.
Thanks for the devotion!
I need to be more intentional about putting my devotions first, then husband and children follow. I think internet needs to have a break. Thank you for the devotion-a good reminder for a busy mom:)
Thanks for this reminder. I am like some of the other ladies here and seem to go until I just collapse. With working full time, having two children, college AND working with the kids ministry at church, it is easy to be busy. Busy does not equal productive and that is something that we all need to learn 🙂
I have my cell phone alarm set to begin singing “Holy is the Lord” at 5:15 AM. This motivates me to get up and have “alone time” with Him. I also find it beneficial and encouraging to literally kneel and pray for a blessing and guidance. This routine has been ever more necessary during the last few weeks as I am assisting my mother-in-law with a terminal diagnosis amidst combining our households, maintaining a full-time job, as well as, assisting my parents who have aging issues that just can not be ignored (dad will be having a cornea transplant in a few weeks; hopefully to restore his vision). And Praise God, I had a legitimate excuse to use a personal day to fill-in as a babysitter for my granddaughter! God is so-o-o good!!
God’s timing is always perfect. I am sitting here this morning with many tasks in front of me and wondering where to start. Your message gives me the answer I know God was telling me “Start with me! Spend some time with me! Let’s get to know one another and let’s just relax and enjoy this personal relationship! Everything else can wait while we spend time together!” Thank you for letting me pause a moment to get this message from God.
I love, love, love the light that you’ve shed on this passage – I have thought that same thought “evening before morning seems backwards”…and I guess I never took it any farther than that! It makes soooo much sense though! A peaceful evening bodes well for a deep-sleep rejuvenating night. We know this is true for our children so why is it that we mothers sometimes feel we have no choice but to burn the midnight oil?!?! I have learned that if I can’t work facebook or emails in during the am hours then I must let them go for the day…. if someone truely needs me, they will call otherwise I need to focus on these little people with their arms around my leg (my daughters). Why should someones post rate above “momma will you play with me?”…. these days are precious few! hugs & thanks!
Wow! God is definitely trying to tell me something. Yesterday on the way to work the song blink by Revive was playing: “It happens in a blink, it happens in a flash, it happens in the time it takes to look back I try to hold on tight but there’s no stopping time What is it I’ve done with my life It happens in a blink. Slow down” . .and there about sixty seconds ahead of me a car accident happens. Had I been a tad faster I would have been involved. Now today this devotional. My family and I have been fighting this nasty bug this week that has slowed me down. I admit I have been frustrated not to get my usual million things done. But today it hit me: God just might be sending me a message!
Busy Busy Busy. That is me. God has been showing me the important things of each day for some time now. I feel as if I need a constant reminder to slow down, put down my list, and just listen to the nothingness until I hear my heavenly father’s beautiful voice. Thanks for the devo. God Bless
Melanie McKinley
mamckinley3@yahoo.com
The series at church is dealing with the very same topic. Last week we talked about how to create margin in our lives instead of filling every single minute with tasks. When we have margin we then have the “storehouse” to help others when the need arises. In my life I have to find a way to be more efficient at work, get the work done and come home to my family. Right now there is so much work to be done that I spend all of my energy on work and have nothing left to give my family. Through this vacation time I hope to create a balance in my life and adhere to it. Work will always be there but kids grow so fast.
Thanks for this reminder. I’m a mom-in-ministry. These are 2 jobs that never end. There are always needs at home and at church. I could go non-stop (and sometimes do). Thanks for reminding me to rest today.
I have been struggling recently feeling very distant from God. I know He is near because He said He will never forsake us. The problem is me and my busy life not carving time with my Savior into each and every day. I started praying on Wednesday that God would renew my love for Him and make me fall in love with Him. Just like I crave time with my husband, I want to crave time with my Heavenly Father. I truly believe God will increase this as I draw closer to Him and further from all the distractions (facebook is the big one). Thank you for your devotion on P31. 🙂
This message is for me. I have been making myself so busy that I do not get to rest. When I go to bed I do not sleep soundly because I am not resting. God surely used your devotion to let me realize that rest is a necessary tool. Thank you I need to pay more attention to the time stealers, they are so subtle that I do not recognize them. Got to have balance in my life.
I almost didn’t read today’s devotion. “Flying through” my emails in order to prioritize my day’s activities, and fully aware that my first ESL student is 11 hours ahead of me time-wise, I almost just clicked delete and went on. But for reasons my Father alone understands, I clicked open instead and read the beautifully-written piece.
Yesterday morning, my young (31) cousin died from cancer. It was a very hard day, and I slept fitfully through the night. I awoke late and knew I had to get my day started.
How good and gracious our wonderful Father is! I so needed to hear this. I needed to see my day having started at sundown (or should I say moonrise?) yesterday. I needed… I need, I need, I need. (I guess I’m rather needy!)
Thank you, Suzie, for listening to God’s heart. Thank you for sharing His love with me. May He richly bless you for it.
I loved your observation that “God started with evening — a time of rest — and a day’s productivity resulted.” Starting today, that is the paradigm shift I am going to try to implement: viewing evening as the first part of my day. Thank you for this gentle yet convicting message.
Wow–this was a timely blog post! I’d just posted somewhere else that it was time to look at my To Do list and figure out what I say no to. I’d done that at the beginning of the year, but I need to do it again. Life is too overwhelming–too busy–right now. Thanks for the encouragement.
Rest is a concept i have really been struggling with. I recently quit my job to pursue some of my artistic passions like writing and photography. The real reason i quit was that I was burnt out and saw now room for recovery. My job had my to do list through the roof. I have a life outside of work that was adding to the drain. I love writing. i love photography. I love my church family. I love to knit and i am active in a non-profit that serves destitute children in India. I was exhausted. IN the exhaustion, i had to rely on God’s heart and his whispers to get rid of the one thing in that list that was taking the life out of me. My job. The only problem was that it was my bad habits that led to the burn out. I cannot say NO! I don’t know how to rest. I only know how to fill up my to do list. So now, i am left without a job and even though i have many hours to rest in, i still find myself filling them up. I am realizing that i don’t know what rest looks like. I don’t know how to not be doing something. The last few days, i have been uber intentional to spend more time with the Lord and allowing Him to orchestrate my day. In that the rest is coming. The switch over in my brain is slow but its coming.
THank you for your words and your prayer. The timing was perfect for me and my life. IF you have any more verses on rest, I’d love to see them. I love the Mark 6 verse listed in your post!
Thanks for these encouraging words today! I work a full time job along with having a family to take care of and an ailing mother who is presently in the hospital. It is so hard to find that quiet time to be with the Lord but it is vital.
Janet
jwood@jordanagency.com
I recently interviewed for a teaching position after being a stay-at-home mom for two years. One of the questions wanted to know what books I have read in the last 6 months. I could list Bible studies that I had completed and hoped that they would count as “books.” After speaking with a dear friend at church who was on the hiring committee, he told me lovingly that I needed to actually take time to read a “book.” I have felt guilty, I suppose, for taking time to read for pleasure. The excuse of lack of time keeps me from reading. After feeling like I had permission to read from someone, I am looking for a great, uplifting book to read and refresh my soul. I have a few in mind, but will certainly add A Confident Heart. My goal – to slow down, prioritize my to-do’s, and read.
I think you are talking to me, even though I heard you loud and clear last year at She Speaks, and I admit it worked for a while! LOL! I decided last night that I was taking a break from Facebook. by the time I get home from work, feed my pets,cook a light dinner, then I feel this urge to get on Facebook and read what all my friends are doing or have done all day. I scroll back to where I left off the day before. This takes up useless hours of time and I really don’t learn anything that I NEED to know. Yes, fasting from Facebook, beginning today! Definately will give me more time to be still and listen to our Lord. Thank you for all you do!
I am new to the Proverbs 31 Ministries but am so thankful that it is now part of my devotional life! God has used it to speak clearly to me the 2 days that I have read it and I am confident that He will continue to speak to me through it. I was glad that I also discovered your link to expand the message, Susie. I am an educator so the summer months are a time of slower schedules and refilling for me. It is interesting that the first weeks of a slower pace are always filled with a bit of guilt for me because our society screams that our worth is determined by how much we accomplish in a day. Thanks for reminding me that my worth is not based on “what I do” but the fact that I am a daughter of Christ Jesus who says, “Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest!” Blessings to you!
I loved your devotion today, it was something I needed to hear. I tend to go go go and completely forget about actually taking the time to rest, but really rest in Him.
Whenever I read this message in a book or devotion, I know it’s talking to me. Just yesterday I started reading “Weird Beacuse Normal Isn’t Working” and he suggests making a ‘to don’t’ list. I have so much trouble deciding and carrying through on the idea. There are so many things I feel like I should do (like committees at church, volunteering) and things I want to do (spend more time with my husband, Bible study, grandson’s sporting events, hobbies)and the one biggie I NEED to do – spend more time in God’s Word and talking to The Boss. I feel like I’m such a mess when it comes to this.
There is so much I want/need to do or think I need to do. With so much it is very hard to simplify/reduce being busy.
Thanks for the devotion & blog today. Since I’m single & work a regular 9-5 M-F job, I don’t really have a huge to-do list, but I do have a lot of ‘time wasters’ that get in my way of resting & spending quality time with God. Usually after a busy day at work, I come home eat dinner & plop down in front of the TV, especially after a bad day. It’s in those moments when I’ve realized the wasted time that I could have come home & spent time with God to release my emotions & worry that I experienced throughout the day. Or I just spend the evening in front of the TV or computer instead of using that time to spend with God.
oh, I have to say that I got ahead of you on this one. For about two weeks I said no to facebook and my personal e-mail. Well, I checked my personal e-mail for important updates about VBS stuff and prayer requests, but other than that, all of it went unread for that two weeks. It was nice, because I found that I had more time for me and my husband to veg out on the couch together, more time to read another bedtime story to my girls, more time to read some of the great books I had collecting dust on the shelves, and more time to commune with God and His Word. To continue on that path, I’ve decided that I don’t have to check e-mails every two seconds, I will only check them at a designated time during the day, and be done with them until the next day. I make time to do my reading and studying in the evenings, instead of mindlessly watching something on the tv (actually, my husband has gotten into the habit of turning the tv off a lot and I realize how used to it going all the time we have gotten when he started doing that). I don’t have to answer every single time the phone rings either. That’s been a big one, as if it’s an emergency, they will say so on the answering machine and I can pick it up. I don’t have to be eternally connected to everyone all the time–only to One, and that is the One that matters the most!
I need to start putting my devotion and prayer time with God each morning instead of waiting until later in the day as I sometimes do. I need this to help me get through the day. Sometimes I get so busy during the day that I feel I’m in a whirl wind. So I need time with God early on so I won’t get caught up in that whirl wind. Thanks for your ministry. I’m really glad that my daughter introduced me to Proverbs 31 ministry. Please keep up the good work. BTW, just received three of the ministry’s books. Can’t wait to start reading!
Suzie thank you so much for this devotion. I have a terrible time being still. I am 58 and have ADD and find it hard to focus on anything for any lengthy amount of time. I bounce from one thing to another and never accomplish any of it. I sleep about 3 to 4 hours a night because i don’t want to settle down and go to bed. I am out like a light when i do stop for a couple minutes. I find time for everything but, God and i don’t understand why. I love the scriptures but, i just can’t settle down and do it. I seem to have no concept of time and i am late for almost everything. I really needed this. Thank you.
I just wrote in my blog about being more committed to my commitments than being committed to God.
It is always a juggling act.
Hi Suzie! My challenge with my time is the pressure I give myself to have a perfectly clean house at the end of everyday. I work a full time job outside the home while my husband runs two businesses from home and at the same time, takes care of our 2 year old. I know that his day is frantic and when the house is nice and clean, meals are prepared, everything is in place, it makes their day go smoothly. But sometimes, I am so beat at the end of my day and I am stressed about getting things ready for the following day once I step in the door after work! My mind is trying to find every nook and cranny of time to make sure that I get everything done that I don’t stop, enjoy my home, enjoy my family, enjoy my daughter (she is growing way too fast!). That’s my challenge. I know that I give myself this pressure – my husband doesn’t expect a perfectly sparkling house everyday, but I want to give that to them. It is tough – and when I stop, take a breath and thank the Lord for his grace in my husband’s understanding and my daughter’s love, I can let up on myself. But it’s so hard sometimes!
Ah yes, the precious and wonderful “Be still…” command that I love, does so much for my soul and my day, and yet one that I so often fail to do! Makes no sense. Thank you again for that great reminder to KEEP my priorities straight.
There is nothing sweeter than sitting at the feet of Jesus. As Jesus, spoke to Martha in her busyness and frustruation. Jesus helped her understand that rest is very important in our day to day busy hectic lifes. Mary was doing what Jesus called her to do. Sometimes the Lord stops us in our tracks to get our attention to put HIM first and foremost. Don’t miss out on this most blessed time otherwise, God will make the time for you!!
God has slowed me down for about the last year and put me in the rest that comes from studing His Word anywhere from 3 to 5 and 6 hours a day and I love it and Him the more for it. God started my friends and I having a 2 o’clock Tuesday meeting where we get together and share God’s Word and the blessings His has given us. God is so great.
I HAVE DONE THIS MY ENTIRE LIFE. I WANT TO FIX EVERYTHING THEN I GET OVERWHELMED. THIS HAS CAUSED SERIOUS ILLNESS IN MY LIFE. I HAVE REALIZED JESUS MY SPIRITUAL LIFE HAS TO BE FIRST THEN FAMILY THEN MY SPIRITUAL FAMILY. AT 66 YEARS YOUNG I AM STILL LEARNING THIS. THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME . GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS KAY
Thank you for your message today. God’s timing is absolutely perfect! I so needed to hear this today. I feel like God has been telling me over and over to “be still”. I plan today to make my list of things taking my time and see what I can do without. I have a crazy life taking care of my elderly mother, young kids, own a business plus am an elected official with a crazy job all on its own. I do find it easy to just play on the computer for hours, but find it hard to just “be still” with my Heavenly Father. Thank you again for listening to the Lord and posting this today for us that really needed to hear it!
Thanks for this reminder. I have been feeling this for some time and know that I need to sit at the feet of Jesus and just be in His presence and yet still struggle with finding the opportunity to do it. I have an open weekend and that I definitely will make this part of it.
I have given up all TV in the past and sometimes no internet after work. And it was really good and sweet communion with God. We sometimes forget how much our spirit needs fed, too.
Thank you for your devotion and blog post today! I have really thought about putting aside the time takers in my life. I am making a list of my “to-do” items and thinking about each one and figuring out which ones are the time takers and taking steps to put them aside so that I can focus more on God and my family! Thank you! Lee Ann
It is so tough to slow down when we have long to-do lists but rest is so impotant. God really revealed this to me not to long ago when I was staying up some time all night to get work done. A book that I read the great divide by Mike Gazzardo is such a great book and it talks about sacrificing things for God sometimes temporarily sometimes forever, because they distract us from giving ourselves quiet time were we can just listen for him. I can say It tugged at my heart to do this with facebook and since I have not stopped recieving God’s blessings and words of wisdom.. It is what I needed to remove from my life so he could start to move in me!
I always thought by age 52, I’d have the schedule thing ironed out! 🙂 I realized two things – life and your responsibilities are constantly changing so you have to constantly reevaluate your activities – it is not a “one-time” thing. Second thing I realized is that I need to be HAPPY with things still in my “in-box”. I used to think it would be possible to get everything done one day and just sit around being “done”. Hahahahahaha!! The only time you will have everything done is the day you go home to be with your Savior. So if I make being “done” necessary for my happiness, I will never be happy. I have to trust God that I have time to do what HE wants done, not want I or everyone else in my life want done.. Thanks for sharing your cancer story..
This really makes me stop and think. There are several “good” things that I am currently doing or involved with. However, I need to prayerfully consider what the “best” things God wants me to do. I don’t need to feel like I should be doing it all. I desire for God to lead me to the things He wants me to focus on at this point in my life. Thanks for sharing!
Of course I had to rush through my first part of a busy morning before getting my much needed respite through today’s devotional at Proverbs 31 Ministries. This is just want I need to concentrate on. It is so amazing how God’s timing works. I will definitely be putting some thought into your questions from this morning.
Thank you for sharing your story and insight.
WOW…isn’t that the truth. We are so busy doing the things on our list that we don’t stop to think about rest and time with God. At the end of my life God isn’t going to be interested if I finished everything on my to do list. He is going to be interested in the time I spent living for HIM! This is something I struggle with often so it was awesome for your reminder today. Thank YOu and God Bless You!
Thank you for the reminder to set the things aside that aren’t necessary to be able to focus on the things that are life-giving. I liked what you said about asking God about some of the things that are important to me but that don’t fit well in my schedule. I must really need this message because I keep hearing it from different sources. But every time I hear this message, I make a change that leads to more peace and more joy : )
Struggling. That’s where I am . Trying to let go of the to-do list, of the things expected, and take the time for the truely important things. I need to hear clearly from the Lord about what I should and should not be doing. I admit… I struggle with that. It is good to be reminded from you that His ways will bring peace. That is what I need. His peace, as I go about the day in His strength and not my own.
I am really just exhausted from all that is on my list of things that are yelling at me to do!! I appreciate the reminder that following God’s agenda will bring peace and rest. I really needed the Encourageent for Today and glad your blog was linked to that!
Thank you so much for sharing….your words hit home with me. Finding rest….that is tough. Balancing work at home and family, plus everything else that is to be done to keep home running. Finding what to cut out is hard-espically when you think it all is necessary. Taking the time to talk with the Lord is necessary…and to find rest in Him. But sadly this gets pushed off as not necessary to much of the time. Thank you for your encouragment and reminder of the need for rest.
So, I know better than to believe in coincidences. Lately, I’ve felt so overwhelmed with the amount of things I have going on. I have been working 2 jobs (7 days a week and on several occasions both jobs in one day) for almost two months now, I am worn out. I’m getting ready to wrap up with one job on Monday, which (I hope) will allow some time to slow down, refocus and re-energize. This blog falls right inline with my prayer this morning. I want to re-prioritize and realign myself with God’s priorities and His will because I know fully that when I’m living in accordance to His will, there is an amazing balance that no one can achieve without him. The more I read up on Renee’s book, the more excited I am to read it. Thank you for the opportunity of winning a copy. 🙂
Thank you for your post today. Your words of encouragement to slow down touched me deeply. I too found myself in a traumatizing situation 18 years ago. I was diagnosed with a debilitating rare eye disease which robbed me of my vision in due course but not until I had walked the long and lonely path of pain and terrible isolationa and loneliness. It was during this time that I found the Lord just standing by, waiting as it were, for me to put my hand in His and accept His help. The struggles continued, and I’ve had many set backs, but I have learned that my husband, my four daughters and my little son, a gift from our Father above at a time when i was very defeated, are really and truly the biggest blessings I could have. I had to learn that all the things I did in a day were not necessary nor were they important in the grand scheme of things, I had become like Nebuchadnezzar in the Old Testament thinking I could do all things by my own strength, and now that I know that it is only when I put my hand in the hand of my Heavenly Father that I can actually through his strength do what needs to be done, that finally the balance seems to be somewhat more on track. God does assure us when he says, “my strength is made perfect in weakness”. It is so true, we need to lean on him and be reasonable in our expectations. Thank you again for your thoughtful devotional.
Thanks for this. At the last minute I took the afternoon off to be with my kids on the last day of school to start the summer off right!
Aww, to say “no” & be ok w/it! I like to go home from work & just sit (relax) & watch TV, before I know it-it’s time to go to bed! Nothing accomplished! No quality time w/husband or grandson. Definately need to come up w/better plan! Thanks for the eye opener-I know God has been speaking to me about “quality time” w/ HIM!
Really enjoyed the devotion today. Thank you for reminding us to slow down and to remember what our important priorities are.
I will have to think about what to give up. Just know that some things take too much time and are not worth it like TV.
for me, it’s playing with my ipod! it’s a great time waster then I’m on the bus but when it overflows into the rest of my life, it’s time to put it away for a while! I’m taking a weekend holiday from it. thanks for your encouragement!
I have a few time stealers. Facebook and the Internet are top of the list. I know I need to spend more time with God but I do not make the time all the time as I should and I end up feeling guilty when I devote so much time on unimportant items. There are many items on my to-do list(blogging, emails, internet, reading, studying, time with friends and family,job hunting, appointments, tv, personal time, bible reading, devotions, prayer, ministry)and I confess I do not always know how to effectively manage my time to get it all done. As to rest, I still can’t figure out what time to go to bed because there is so much to do in a day.
after going back to full time work this school year and looking forward to a summer of many commitments, my daughter broke her leg in way that has left her and i homebound. welcome rest, come in and make yourself at home. God had plans for my summer, and rest was His plan.
I needed that reminder that rest is very helpful. I am now going to rest!
I have learned over this last year due to unresolved health issues that God is into marinading, not microwaving.
Wow! That hit close to home! I get so busy sometimes that I don’t even take time to eat much less sleep. I work for a ministry and there is an endless string of things to do to just keep on top. I was offered some paid time off recently. After reading today’s devotional, I believe that I will be taking my boss up on that – SOON!
Thank you for sharing your heart and that particular scripture.
Suzie -I get these messages in my inbox each morning, and actually don’t open it until I am “ready to get it” – not just “getting the time” to scan through it, but to actually ask God to show me how I can be used to glorify Him.
I put this specific message off – mainly for the title – “slow it down”. 🙂 Everyone tells me I need to do just that. It’s annoying really… I was always taught to not be lazy or still for too long – Satan likes that. (Maybe that freaked me out or something!)
As women and in today’s culture, we feel by saying how busy we are makes us appear “important” perhaps. It’s a way of hiding behind being too busy for those people who annoy us, or always want something from us – it’s a coping mechanism frankly. And I am guilty. I look forward to slowing down – and reading your book.
I get these messages in my inbox each morning, and actually don’t open it until I am “ready to get it” – not just “getting the time” to scan through it, but to actually ask God to show me how I can be used to glorify Him.
I put this specific message off – mainly for the title – “slow it down”. 🙂 Everyone tells me I need to do just that. As women and in today’s culture, we feel by saying how busy we are makes us appear “important” perhaps. It’s a way of hiding behind being too busy for those people who annoy us, or always want something from us – it’s a coping mechanism frankly. And I am guilty. I look forward to slowing down – and reading your book.
Mahalo (thank you), for today’s devotional. I am one those many of us single moms trying to do all and be all for our children. Right now i am trying my best to be strong with a difficult teenage girl (help)as well as keep our boat a float. Would you please share with me how you hear The Lord speak to you when you ask Him questions?? i am afraid that i so… busy running here and doing that, i miss out on whatever he wants me to know, i find it difficult to stop and rest. 🙁 let alone hear The Father
Just another confirmation for me to slow my roll. How loud does God have to speak to me before I’ll stop and obey? Thankyou so much for writing on this subject.
Thank you for today’s devotional. I am recently divorced after 22 years. I did not want the divorce my x did, so they say if you love them let them go and you know the rest of that. After a month of seperation and living in the same house, I tried to OD. The Lord and my mother saved my life and now I put the Lord first. When I get busy with everything else, he will let me know I am not holding up my bargain and I get right back to the Bible and Praying. I now make the Lord my priorty, just like He makes me His proirty. He is an asome God.
Kathy
Thank you for the reminder that I need to slow down and listen to God’s voice. My priorities seem to be family oriented, yet I have allowed so much to come between my devotional time with God each day. I cannot be all things to everyone, but I can be God’s servant who wants to “hear him speak”. Before any other tasks in the day, I will try to read God’s Word and have my quiet time. Thanks for the encouragement.
Slowing down? I had almost forgot what that means! What a needed reminder. I do need to slow down and feel the presence of God and be able to hear what HE tells me to do. Thank you for the reminder. I am glad that some messages we read online are positive and uplifting for us!!
Slowing down doesn’t come easy for me. I see everything that needs to be done and I move from one thing to the next sometimes not even accomplishing everything. Some days i need to realize it’s okay to slow down and hold my baby. That stopping for devotions makes the rest of the day so much more worth it. Thanks so much for this reminder.
A timely message. I have several time steelers that I need to eliminate from my life.
Thanks.
Thanks! Your messages always are timely in my life. I have been having an unusualy busy schedule lately and I need to take a break and prioritize. Thanks for the reminder. Jennifer
Slowing down is hard for me because, like you, I like to do so many things! It’s easy for me to say no to the things I don’t want to do; it’s much harder not to cram my schedule full of all the things I do want to do. Thank you for this reminder.
Slowing down sometimes for me just doesn’t seem like an option. I have a busy 5-year old son, triplet girls that will turn 2 in just a month, a husband to support, a relationship with God to foster, a house to keep clean, meals to fix, etc. etc. However, I am no different than any one else. Your message reminded me that rest is a choice, not a luxury. I have recently tried to make Sundays more of a day of rest. I try to make sure I don’t have to cook. I don’t do laundry or dishes. I even try to watch a favorite movie at times:) I have been amazed how wonderful that feels!
Wow, really needed to hear this!!! Will be thinking in these question!!!
Wow! God vs. busyness! In the realms of raising a family, hobbies and just the everyday things it hard to just “rest”. I never considered the wording of the bible that you mentioned. Rest in the Lord comes before our work. This is interesting because the Jewish day begins when the sun goes down and that is a statement of rest first then work. God wants us to rest and be with him before anything else. The many distractions seemingly take this away and we seem to start our day with work. This is a new light! My eyes see that this rest to God is more important so we are nourished and can do our work for him and those who are dependent on us. Thank you! Thank you! Reason to believe resting in God’s word should be priority!
I loved this devotional, exactly what Father has been speaking to me on. I am a woman who from a very early age of 9 years old, I learned how to work very hard in the fields picking peas to help out our very poor family life. My mama and dad were great examples of loving parents who provided for us no matter how tired they were, the always pushed themselves. They did not know how to rest aside from needing their night sleep. And so I learned what was taught and lived out in my life. It has been good that I learned the meaning of hard work, but since I came to know Jesus, 28 years ago, and know that His word and guidance in my life is the best and only way to live, I have recently have began to sleek truth in my life and life of others about how important it is not to always be on the treadmill of life. I have come to relize that I can never do or be enough. If I am not RESTING in Father, and giving my body and mind rest,then I am not loving me, or those precious people has given me to walk this journey with.
And so as I see and read that Jesus rested, and he calls us into His rest, I now take time each day to sit at His feet, and have Him hold me. My life is very busy: I work 40 hour job, take care of my 85 year old mama, who is disabled, paralyzed, in a wheel chair full time, a husband who has not worked for past 10 years, on disability, has diabetic complications. Have 3 grown children, one still at home, youngest 20 years old. I carry a lot, because it takes a lot of time to be a caretaker, housekeeper, wife, friend, mother, employee, daughter, a few other things I’m sure I am leaving out. A lot of hats to wear. I have just recently re iAds that I cannot continue on this distructive pattern, for my Father di not create us to be running machines. I have learned to say no! And mean it. It actually feels good to use the word no, and know that people respect that, and atill love me for who I am. I. Love my life Father has given me, and I Love Fatheqr for His amazing Grace, and Mercy. He has always carried me, when I was too tired to walk, and always whispers in my ear, my precious daughter, slow down, come sit with me, and rest. My heart thanks you for the beautiful ministry that touches my heart , and leads me to my Father, and encourages me, so I can encourage others as God leads me.
Thank you! Love your devotion. resting in our Lord, so awesome. Thank you. What a beloved sister you are. In my very quiet moments God is seeking for me to pray for unity for all my sisters. This summer God has asked me for rest with HIM. I am so excited at what he will reveal and heal in the lives he loves so so dearly. Love you my precious sisters. thank you.
My husband and I were just discussing how to be intentional with our time. Thank you for this reminder to slow, enjoy, and most importantly, seek His guidance. (And thank you for this kind opportunity for Renee’s new book!)