One of my favorite magazines these days is Real Simple because it reminds me to focus on things that matter, like keeping your life in balance.
I’m sure every reader of our own Priority! magazine has, at some point, experienced the stress of overload. Perhaps that’s the only way you know how to live—rushing; juggling events; working through multiple layers of relationships, activities, and commitments. Technology seems to make things go at an even faster pace. I’m sure we’ve all come to the point of saying, like the TV ad, “Just take me away!”
I grew up in Louisiana but have fond and vivid memories of Dad and Mom packing us into the car and heading to Granny’s house in Columbia, S.C. When we arrived, the first thing to go was my shoes. I loved walking barefoot in Granny’s front yard. We would sit in rocking chairs for long afternoons, talking about all kinds of subjects that would come and go in a little girl’s mind. What I remember most was that when we were at Granny’s house, we never rushed anywhere. The closest thing to that was getting up at 3 a.m. to head out to the lake and fish for the day. (We tried to get there before the fish woke up so they would think our worms were their breakfast!)
When my husband and I had our own family, we always tried to balance our busy lives as officers and parents with meals at home around the kitchen table and family outings that did not have time or pressure as a guide. Those times were what I would call “simply real.” We would talk about our day, our relationships, and our love for the Lord. We tried to make sure our children understood how important and special they were in God’s sight and in ours. Certainly there were days when we ran them off to baseball, soccer, cheerleading, and a host of corps (church), school, and neighborhood activities, but we always made it a priority to take time—for talking, for laughter, for taking our shoes off and walking in the grass.
Jesus said to a busy, sometimes overworked and overscheduled group of disciples that when things seem to get out of hand, they should remember to keep it simple and claim peace.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” —John 15:27 (NIV)
The good word for today? Two of them … “simply real.”
Judy Hedgren,
Colonel
Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries
USA Eastern Territory
Email this article to a Friend