My life is extremely busy. It always has been. I received my first planner in fourth grade. It was 8.5×11, Baby Sitters Club themed and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I wrote things like “Stacy’s birthday party” and “school play” in it. I loved having activities to write in that planner.
Fast forward 20 years. While, I still use a paper planner today, it is a lot fuller than my Baby Sitter’s Club one. Now it is filled with meetings, doctors appointments, lunch dates with friends, travel plans and more. All of that doesn’t include the day to day responsibilities of day care drop off, dishes, laundry and the like.
I have a problem with busyness.
You see, I like being busy. I like experiencing things and being a part of projects.
But lately, the busyness is taking over my life.
In my heart, the Holy Spirit prompts the words of the Lord, “Be still and know that I am God.”
How can I possibly be still when my life has so much in it?
He whispers, “Be still and know that I am God.”
I already feel like I can barely get everything accomplished.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
I fight it, until I can’t fight it anymore.
Twice this week I had to let go some plans go so I could rest, my body exhausted and unable to do any more.
It was as if the Lord came upon me and said, “Rest my child. Be still.”
Last night was one of those nights. I had a migraine for much of the day and after dinner, I curled up with a blanket on the couch, barely able to keep my eyes open at 8:30 p.m. I went to bed at nine and woke up this morning refreshed, ready to take on a busy day.
The Holy Spirit prompted me, This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.
And so that is going to be my choice today. I will be busy. But I will also steal away some still moments to remember that God is in control and to be joyous.
Are you like me? Do you fight being too busy? What do you do to be still?
Leave a Comment
This is SO SO SO me! Thank you so much for the reminder to slow down and be still even if just for a little while!
Jessica,
So beautifully stated! I, too, love to be busy…multitasking is fun to me!! You are so, right, however…we must take moments to be still and know that He is God. For me to be still, I get up early in the morning and meet with Jesus for some one-on-one time. I think that is the only thing that gets me through most days!
I look forward to your other posts! Have a great weekend!
I want to let you know to listen to these quiet whispers to be still and know that He is God. Almost 3 years ago I was in a very bad car accident, they did not know if I would make it, well here I am I did through alot of pain lots of broken bones layed up on my butt for almost 8 months! I have learned to be still, had not choice I was working 60 or more hours a week and taking care of my dad who just lost my step mom I was always on the run! Be still God is so good and faithful!
I always wanted to add to my post that I have problems with my foot and knee and I have no choise but to sit and rest my right leg which helps me to be still. I am definatley a type a personality busy busy busy. God has shown me the valuse to be still in Him! Be blessed
Thanks for the post…I love that you had a Babysitter’s Club planner!
I love to just sit and listen to worship music. Lately, I’m loving a new CD I just got from Kari Jobe. She’s amazing! Her voice and lyrics have really helped quiet my heart periodically during the day.
Yes, you betcha I do. My life gets into full swing and there are times I just have to say no to adding yet another item to my plate.I think this holiday season will be my busiest one. I am thankful though, for others who rally with me to help make it all happen. Taking time to be still and quiet is so needed and I take time for worship. Just uninterrupted time to sing praises to my Lord.
Jessica, these sentiments are so sincere… and familiar. It reminds me of when I know that my three year old needs an afternoon nap yet resists, not wanting to miss out on the fun. Oh that we may learn the wisdom of slowing down enough to hear the sweet prompt of the Holy Spirit to be still. Thanks for the reminder today.
I also love that you had a Babysitter’s Club planner. I never had one, but I wanted one. 🙂
When I find myself in the midst of busyness and getting stressed out, I force myself to stop. I take a few breaths and focus on God for a minute. It’s so refreshing, and I find that I can get done what I need to get done much more efficiently. It keeps me grounded and focused on Him.
I think the enemy likes to keep us busy at the wrong things…
Praying for you and your family to find rest in one another and at His feet.
Wow. I feel like I wrote this. I agree the enemy wants to keep us constantly distracted, and often that comes in the form of busyness.
I think the best way to be still is to just say no. Its okay to not take on anything else, even when that is ladies Bible study or prayer group. When you are a working mother, sometimes you just need to come home and Be Still. I am finally understanding this.
Nothing is better at the end of my day than to be able to lie in bed and spend a good hour in His Word.
i struggle with the same thing too. and, like you, psalm 46:10 is always the verse that pops into my head. i have to be moving. im fidgety, dont like to be idle, can barely sit thru a movie when i know i can be doing something productive. im sure it stems from my childhood – but i really should, and do need to, listen to God more often and just be still.
i dont like giving the enemy too much credit, but i do agree with shady lady above. he sneaks in wherever he can…and what a perfect way to distract us. not only with our time, but our minds – as it exhausts us so much.
this morning…im glad that His mercies are new and He loves me.
That was the same story for me yesterday, migraine and all! I haven’t figured out how to eliminate the unnecessary until it’s too late & I have the migraine from thinking about all I have to do in a day. Being still before the Lord has to come early before anything else gets started in my day or it just won’t happen. I also enjoy doing that right before bed. But, I have to consciously make those choices or the business of the day takes over.
I’m glad that you were able to rest and be rid of your migraine. My heart goes to my sister. She is my dad’s caretaker. He has alzhiemer’s. I live too far away to help her with his care. Yesterday she called crying. She has the flu and he couldn’t let her rest. He kept waking her, asking for her help with his checkbook. I pray that God gives her peace and rest today. I pray that God touches my dad, and allows him to be okay without my sister’s constant presence. I pray that my sister’s husband and daughter also allow my sister to rest. Thank you God for Your provision and thank you incourage for a place to pray.
Excellent thoughts and a reminder I needed!
Connecting with your world recently via twitter, Bloom, your blog, etc. I wondered how you “do it all?”
Life has many cool things to offer and I never seem to have time to do all I want.
Then I received massive injuries in an accident and couldn’t do anything for years. Both those lines “Be still and know that I am God” and “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad” were my life line during that time. I had to be still so my body could heal and then I realized how much my soul and spirit needed it also. I still have limitations, but I’ve recovered well and I get annoyed how easy it is for me to forget what I learned during that time – thanks for the reminder!
Did I write this post? Tim Kimmel’s book called “Little House on the Freeway: Help for the Hurried Home” helped me to consciously practice being still. I posted on it here http://monogrammedmrs.blogspot.com/2009/08/being-still.html
Jessica,
I remember The Babysitter’s Club! woo hoooo 🙂 And, I am also one who loves to be busy. It’s a hard habit to kick. I need to fill more of my busy time with God. I take comfort, however, that I know it’s something I need to work on, because that means God is always on my mind. Hmmm… 🙂
Gussy
This is so very me….but I am now fighting to put quiet time into my very lovely planner!
Cxx
Jessica,
This sounds so familiar. I am struggling with the same distractions of busyness and recently I had to make some very difficult choices to bring peace back into my life.
“Being Still” is a struggle but I know it’s something I can achieve with God’s grace.
May you be be filled with peace and may God continue to show you the path to His stillness.
Jessica, I’m sitting at a quiet kitchen table this morning and thinking of your wise words again. Thank you for reminding us that sometimes doing the least accomplishes the most. You’re a blessing, girl!
Thanks for the reminder – I often hear myself (or friends) make excuses, like how am I supposed to be still with three small children? Or my hubby’s schedule? Or whatever, but I am learning (I hope) that God doesn’t need us to not do anything, but to rest in Him WHILE we do our other things as well as get away for bits of stillness in our days (or nights when the kids are sleeping). God bless.
YES, I have trouble being still. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that I hear that verse – “Be still and know that I am God” – in my head often.
I also love paper planners and have a soft spot for Babysitters Club books. 😉
I have just found your blog. I came here through the incourage site. I stopped by because I saw you are a first time mom as I am. When you posted this I had just given birth to our beautiful son. I so identify with this more than ever. Now that I am a mom, I find it so hard to slow down – to be still. If I try I get figity.
Thanks for posting this!
Make your own life time more easy get the mortgage loans and everything you require.