Have you ever felt busy? Really, really busy?
I stood in front of the fridge and stared at the calendar the other day. Yes, I still use a paper calendar, partly because I’m visual and partly because I just can’t seem to get 100% on board with the digital ones. (I love this one, by the way.) But there I stood, still in my pajamas, wondering how I was going to make all the things happen.
It just felt too busy.
Honestly, most of it was kids stuff, but that didn’t even matter. It was just the fact that there was so much happening. I’m the kind of person who likes down time. Empty calendar squares make me smile because it means I get to just be with my people. Because of that I’ve learned to be fairly intentional about our time.
I read books (like this and this) to help me create the space I need in my life to feel calm, centered, okay. I say no to a lot of good things because I would rather say yes to the best things. So when I stare at a calendar square that has no more empty space I get overwhelmed.
Resisting the urge to tear up the calendar I went about my day, figuring out all the moves like my son’s football playbook. But as I drove from one activity to the other I talked to God.
Why am I so busy? Am I doing something wrong? I don’t even know what more I can say NO to.
I waited a moment, expecting an answer, a solution to my busy. Instead I felt this response in my spirit:
You’re in a busy season.
Really, God?
It wasn’t exactly the answer I was looking for. I have an affinity for seasons but I didn’t like the idea of this one. I knew better than to fight it, so instead I’ve been searching for ways to find peace in the middle of the busy.
1. Accept the reality that you’re in a season.
Fighting it only made me more anxious. As I learn to accept that things are busy and remind myself that it is not permanent I’m able to take a deep breath and keep going.
2. Talk to God.
I know it feels like there’s no time. But there is always time to talk to God because you can talk to Him anytime. 2 minute shower? Driving carpool? Waiting at the drive through? Just say His name. It helps.
