Thanks, both of you, for returning to read what I post!
It has been a year and a half since I have posted here. That's a long time for someone who loves to read and write and talk. But during that time I was having trouble breathing, mentally, much less doing the things I love. I'm thankful to say that the chaos and mayhem was not caused by any tragedy or illness in my family, simple a complete upheaval of life. In fact, I stepped into my dream job in the middle of this. And in all of that, I did what I have told so many others not to do. I didn't rest. I didn't stop. I didn't force myself to balance.
I didn't breathe.
I didn't breathe mentally and I even found myself often holding my breath physically. As I would be thinking though pressing situations and making plans to accommodate those, I would realize I was actually holding my breath as I thought.
I pushed and struggled and stayed up late and got up early. And while it's inevitable to have to push and struggle and stay up late and get up early if you are going to make a difference in the world, you can't live that way night and day, day in and day out.
I know that. I've taught that in conferences on how to lead. But how often do we do what we know we should do? And how often do we do what we know we shouldn't do?
It all comes back to that sabbath thing. We know what we should do. We know that it's wise and sensible and logical. But how often, when we are pressed, do we give that up first.
Before I miss a deadline, I miss my sabbath.
Before I cancel a meeting, I cancel my sabbath.
Before I let the laundry go, I let my sabbath go. (Ok. That one's not a struggle for me)
God gave commandments to keep order in our lives. Don't kill, don't steal, keep the Sabbath.
And while we would never consider killing or stealing, it just doesn't seems as big of a deal to let the Sabbath go.
It became apparent to me this last year that He listed that one as well and it's that important. I've learned (am learning still) to let somethings wait. And somethings, I have let go completely.
And I'm breathing. You can do so much more when you breathe.
