So here comes another unforeen post that absolutely must slip its way into this series after hearing a fabulous message at church today. The sermon spoke straight to my heart. It affirmed me AND called me out. Let me explain...
3 little words:
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Do you realize the culture we live in?!?! Everyone is so "busy." But that's not a good thing!!! When you're too busy...other things get pushed to the side. And it's usually the more important things, too. (Your husband? Your kids? Your health? Your friendships? Your sanity?!?)
"How was your weekend? Good! Went by too fast though. We were really busy."
"Sorry I haven't been able to see you...I've been really busy lately."
"Yeah, work is keeping me really busy."
"Ooops I forgot to call you back, I've been so busy!"
Is that true or WHAT?!
Now, honestly [for me], since this move from Charlotte to Wilmington, I have taken a big step AWAY from busy. Don't get me wrong. I was one to those "busy" people in Charlotte. Even if I was filling my time with things that had "good intentions" behind them (teaching kindergarten, tutoring multiple students after school, attending more than one Bible study, etc.)...I knew that when we moved, I needed to make some BIG changes. Against busy. For my sake and my family's.
I knew that God had a new sort of life and marriage that He wanted to create for us when we moved to Wilmington. I felt it in my soul! I got plucked from my hometown...my comfort zone...and now I'm back to the basics. Just me, my husband, our pup...and moving to a place where have 0 extra commitments. A fresh start.
I can't tell you how much I am enjoying (and thriving in) this new season. I am serving my husband better. I'm giving myself more time for me. I am filling my mornings with things that give me energy and breathe life into my body, mind, and spirit. I am a cheerful keeper of our home.
So (obviously) this is the part of the message where I felt affirmed. To His glory!!
[Noooooow the convicting part.]
Our culture also loves this idea: If you're not "busy" like everyone else, then you must be lazy.
Our pastor asked, "If you're not busy, do you feel like you have to defend yourself to people who are busy?"
Oh. Rats. Yeah, that's kiiiind of totally me.
Some people get it. They know why and support why our little Houston family has made this change where I am nannying instead of teaching and spending a lot more time at home. But (most?) people don't get it. And...being honest here...I have felt the need to defend myself multiple times. Actually, not multiple times. MANY times. Why I...this young woman who is married with no kids and has a college degree...why I am not trying to make lots more money for our family and work a full-time job.
I realize that I am very blessed. Don't get me wrong...we're not "rakin' it in" (in our oh-so-close minded American Dream standards...though we are "rakin' it in" in comparison to world outside of our close-minded American eyes. That's another soapbox though... ;)). But we are living within our means. With contentment, joy, and a whole lot more peace. I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel a million times healthier for us. Again...glory to God!
So where do you find yourself? A busy person? A person who finds the need to defend why you're not busy all the time? Somewhere in the middle?
Wherever you are, will you please join me (even in the smallest way...perhaps just your conversations!) and stop glorifying busy?
I love this post Elise! I have felt the same way for a long time when it comes to the glorification of busy. I have a lot of friends that just go go go and I am just not wired that way. It makes me SO unhappy to be too busy! By the way, I didn't know you were a nanny. :)
ReplyDeleteGood post, girl. Something I needed to hear after wrapping up yet another weekend spent out of town. I find myself mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted after this month. I've got to take this to heart and slow it down.
ReplyDeleteWOW! This is right is sssoooo many ways. I feel like the word "busy" is so overused these days and I am guilty of this too. Just the other day I found myself saying was so busy I didn't do my devotions. Too busy for God?? That was a wake up call! I'm glad that you are happy with where you are at with a lightened load. I am too very happy with where I'm at. I was a preschool teacher, I heavily involved at church and always going out with my husband. We were b u s y! Today I am thrilled to be a stay at home Mom and attending church gearing towards getting involved again. I did feel the need to defend myself when someone asked so what else to you do at home with your baby? I almost got offended but then chose not to. Ok novel over here. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI love this post and completely agree. Being busy doesn't = having everything.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful post! I think our generation's constant need to be over-stimulated plays a huge part in this - we all have trouble doing something as simple as just being still and being in the moment. I've definitely felt convicted lately about the glorification of busy that is so prevalent in our culture. It's good to see you pushing back a bit!
ReplyDeleteGirl, you hit the nail on the head with this post! I am TOTALLY guilty of the busy syndrome. Here I am, 10pm on Sunday night and I'm asking myself 'where did the weekend go?!' I have to actively tell myself to slow down and enjoy the present moment. I'm that person who has a really hard time doing 'nothing'. :/ This post was a great reminder to slow down and stop being artifically busy!!
ReplyDeleteUgh. There were tears (me) over this at our house tonight. We are just so busy. I am a homebody anyway, but between two kids, pregnancy and just life, I am worn out. My hubby is the life of the party and I just want to sit on the couch and do nothing! I know that my yoga pants and I can be lazy, but I dont want to get caught in the hustle bustle of "all we can do" and we really need to pray about what works for our little fam and how this all looks! The world is deceiving though - with good and bad things to suck our time away! Loved this post!
ReplyDeleteThis post is SO true - today, being busy equates with being worthwhile for a lot of people. But, in reality, it's just exhausting. And most of the things we keep so busy with aren't that important anyway. In this season in my life - new motherhood - I am allowing my son to take priority over the many little things that used to keep me so busy. I am learning to say "No" more, learning to enjoy simple nights at home and learning to value my quiet time when I get it. Being busy is overrated! I am so glad to hear that you have done what is best for your family, despite what other people may think of it:)
ReplyDeleteSuch great thoughts, I have really enjoyed reading your "31 Days of Being Intentional." I think that you hit the nail on the head - it is sooo true we live in a culture of "busy" --- those questions at the top were definitely convicting, I know I hear myself saying those things entirely too often!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement, girlie!!! Hope you're having a lovely monday, darling!
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elise
I am so joining you in this! It has been so heavy on my heart the last month or so that I am so busy and I am just sick of it. I want relaxing time at home to spend quality time with my husband. I truly got so excited when I saw this post because I feel like it's for sure something God is using to speak to me and affirm my recent thoughts. I love those 3 simple words "stop glorifying busy". Simple yet powerful! Thank you dear, you've used your words to bless me yet again <3
ReplyDeleteThis is so hard for me because I enjoy being busy! I like to squeeze as much as I can into one day - seeing friends, new places, doing things with my husband, etc. It's so hard for me to slow down and enjoy doing nothing. I feel that we've been so wired by the world we live in that if you aren't constantly going, going, going then you tend to feel lazy. I've had a slower last couple of months with work so I've been home more and have been struggling with this. By choosing to stay home more than work, am I possibly "wasting" the gifts God may have been giving me to use at work? Being a woman can be so confusing sometimes haha! Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteLove this! It's so true. It's so easy to say how "busy" life is all the time as an excuse and way to explain things. It's a good reminder to stop and be more intentional with words and with time.
ReplyDeleteI often find myself using "being busy" as an excuse to defend my actual real life of not being busy because it is so widely accepted versus my life as a nanny & wife (& home organizer/caretaker) similar to you. While my husband and I are genuinely happy in our decisions it is hard to fight and explain why I feel this is where & how I am most fulfilled week by week. Thank you for sharing - I'm new to your blog but am originally from Wilmington and love getting home, hope you are loving it!!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, and YES. You know I applaud your decisions about prioritizing time with family. Here's a quote I know you'll love:
ReplyDelete"Being busy is a drug a lot of people are addicted to." - Rob Bell
Riggggghtttt?
Love you Enz. Love your support. And not just because it's your support...because you get it. You just DO!
DeleteThat quote rocks. Thank goodness I've never been an addict. I consider myself lucky that I DON'T like busy :)
Oh how I love this post. You're going to love this, but I knew you posted about this the other day and have been so excited to read it but have found myself too busy, until this afternoon, to even sit down read like I'd like to. Pathetic!! God has been working on my heart in big ways recently about slowing down, saying no and focusing on what He's given me and blessed me with right here and now in this phase of life. I sense He's leading me to make some big changes, of which I'm not entirely sure yet, but I'm praying for Him to show me how He wants to me slow down and what He wants to me cut out.
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