I seem to think I have unlimited time for all of the projects I want to pursue.  It shows up in the form of over-commitment, burnout and just plain stress.  If I were to one day learn that I have time constraints just like all other mere mortals, then I might come up with these observations.

1)  Because children grow up too fast, I will limit how many outside commitments each one takes on.  Kids need time to daydream in the clouds and chase bullfrogs by the downspout.  When busyness takes away freedom to wander, then life gets in the way of really living.

2)  Being busy does not bring value to the self.  It’s much easier to knock things off of my “to do” list, than to simply be still.  But all people need time to stop and ponder the mysteries of God.  When He says “Be still,”  He means He wants our undivided attention!  I will learn to be content in the “who” that I am, rather than finding my worth in “what” I can accomplish!

3)  “People are more important than things.”  This is good to know, but hard to live by.  When you’re in the middle of a project (like measuring out ingredients for a recipe) and the phone rings, it’s tempting to growl at the caller.  Or when you’re late for your meeting and the toddler’s shoe gets lost, it’s easy to lose your cool and forget about the feelings of a precious little being.  I might learn to look him in the eyes and smile instead of rushing out the door.

Thank you, Robert, for this group writing project.  It’s good to remember that Limits give us healthy boundaries for living!

Sally

Excellent observations, Sally! It's amazing how "freeing" limitations can be, isn't it? Especially when God is in them!

A tip o' the hat for the WILF entry!:)

I needed this, Sally. I have to be reminded frequently that I can't do everything I want to and think I can do.

Thank you, Robert & Lillie! It's good to revisit our priorities in life and aim to strike a balance in activities. We live in a time when we have so many good options available to us. It takes intentional effort to make choices that will enhance our lives instead of spread us too thin!

Thank you, Robert & Lillie!
It's good to revisit priorities. We live in a time when we have so many good options available to us. We have to be more intentional about making wise choices! In "The Best Question Ever?" Andy Stanley says the best question is to ask, "What is the wise thing to do?" Otherwise, we'll keep asking the wrong questions and continue to over-schedule our lives and energies.