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Thursday, September 27, 2012

BUSY busy BUSY

Whew! Last night's sermon was one I had received personally from my Pastor a few months back.  You see, I have lived a very rigid and scheduled life for a very long time.  I set times and lengths of scheduled activities and never left room for just enjoying life and imagination.
On a white board by the computer was a time schedule for chores, school, meals and "free" time.  I was making my kids neurotic and I was already there! Now I didn't just do this for me, but oh the anger I would have when someone didn't do what was on the board in the right order.  I blame the book Cheaper by the Dozen.  Here is a small synopsis of the book:
No growing pains have ever been more hilarious than those suffered loudly by the riotous Gilbreth clan. First, there are a dozen redhaired, freckle-faced kids to contend with. Then there's Dad, a famous efficiency expert, who believes a family can be run just like a factory. And there's Mother, his partner in everything except discipline. You can be sure that they're not only cheaper, they're funnier by the dozen.

The bold is me, I was running my family like a factory.  That is not a good thing. I talked with my Pastor about my freaky nature.  He laughed and said, you have a big family, I understand the need to be organized,
BUT...........................................
you have to relax a bit more, and enjoy the time you have with them.

This was like a weight lifted from my  shoulders, heart and mind!  I went home and erased the white board, and told the kids sorry I was a spaz.  They laughed.  We had field trips just because, stayed at the park for longer and laughed more. 
Now I am still very organized, for crying out loud, I have 7 children!  We have set days for laundry, chores are assigned, and I do a menu for the week (to save my sanity, and help in grocery shopping).  Home-school is pretty organized and we figure out daily the car situation.  Eric works, Tony bikes usually to work and I am chauffeur to many kids (to school, preschool and activities).  But I don't regulate life anymore.  I don't freak on my floors being sticky, dust build up(heck I live in the desert, I won't ever win).
I listened to the sermon last night, as one who has been set free from being busy for the sake of being busy, and Pastor said, find that one thing God wants you to do, and do it with all your heart. I am a wife and a mom to many.
I love God so much, Jesus touched my life 20 some years ago, and I have not lost the wonder and gratefulness to my Savior.  The time I spend in reading my bible and prayer has become sweeter and stronger as I have unregulated my life.  I am amazed at the closeness in relationships with my family and even friends.  I think I can be a bit "overwhelming and daunting" to others with my organization.  I want to relax, and be like that happy little goldfish in the bowl sometimes, and now I can!

4 comments:

eilajean said...

I envy how busy you are sometimes. I wish I had the energy to be busy. Say a little prayer for my world if you find the time. I could really use it.

Summer said...

Great post! I struggle with this as well. Right now, there's 30 hours of work and only 24 hours to do it...and I'm attempting to learn what to let slide & to not make my kids crazy.

Sabina Pamphili said...

your Pastor has a point: you need to take time off and relax....or what would have been the point of having all these wonderful kids when you can't really enjoy life with WITH them? love your blog and your chatting here. I will check more often, Anne.

Joy aka GoddessJoy said...

I'm having Anne withdrawls! I haven't seen you on FB lately, and I miss your smile! I hope all is well My Dear.