Refresh...and Soon

The peacefulness I am experiencing in my life at the moment starkly contrasts with the anxiety I was carrying up til the completion of a major work project. I don't think I even realized how much my work was affecting my peace of mind. Let me rephrase that. My perception of my work and how it was impacting my personal life was affecting my peace of mind. Whatever was stirring the stormy seas in my mind is gone now and all is blissfully sweet and calm. This brings challenges of it's own.

Without the marionette strings of deadlines, appointments and "do or fail" scenarios, my motivation has gone slack. Move to the urgent & critical long enough and it becomes what holds you up.

Recently a fellow administrator from another church said that she felt impressed to admonish me to take time to get refreshed...and soon.

I felt duly warned. I wasn't sure if the reason was internal (I was risking my health & wellbeing) or external (I would need my strength to overcome an unforseen circumstance). I didn't need it spelled out, I'm ready to rest.

On Saturday I had a rare day where I had no urgent tasks or appointments at all from sun up to sun down. I barely knew what to do with myself. I resisted the urge to work and spent the day doing what refreshes me: blogging, rollerblading with my family and my dog, and winding the day down with a clean family movie.

With my focus off extra projects at work I am tuning into neglected areas of my life: relationships, the dust & cobwebs in the corners of my home, my sporatic workputs and unfinished renovations. It is overwelming and I literally have to reassure myself. "Not yet, I am refreshing." I've promised myself that these issues can wait until after vacation. In the meantime I am praying because without God's wisdom and intervention the proverbial eggs will always be falling out of my basket. I have never before felt so dependant on Him to orchestrate my life and guide me in my daily choices.

In this season of pondering I have already gotten one strategy that I'll be trying out soon. Maybe more will follow? It is my experience that the answers we are looking for are right under our noses but we are too busy dancing to our old routines to try and learn a new step or two.

A friend said recently that I encouraged her to work smarter, not harder. I think taking time to "refresh" does that for us, so take some time to rest, pray and ponder...and soon!