Monday I came out … I admitted I’m busy and acknowledged that many of you probably are busy also. I shared this simple prayer:

Even in my busy-ness may my heart be focused on Kingdom business.

Here’s the thing, I’ve spent a lot of time hiding my crazy schedule or making light of it. But this is where I am … this is the place God has me right now. And it is okay.

I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also he has put eternity in man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live. Ecclesiastes 3:10-12

So, as of today, I’m not apologizing for my busy schedule, for the craziness of my calendar. And here are a few of the reasons why.

1. I’m doing the things that matter most!

I’m going to the gym and writing a Bible study for college girls and helping my parents get settled in their new house and taking my girl to camps and hosting friends for dinner with my husband. These are the things that matter most in my life right now. I’m saying no to many other things … I’m not going to conferences and I’m not teaching a class in Vacation Bible School and I’m not volunteering at the crisis pregnancy center. Those things I am not doing are important and valuable and wonderful … but they are not the place God has me right now. So, I’m busy but it’s the kind of busy that feels good because it’s the things that matter, that fill me with joy and energize me {even when I’m exhausted!}.

2. I’m with the people who matter most.

No matter how busy you are, you must take time to make the other person feel important. ~ Mary Kay Ash

Almost all my time is spent with the people who are most important in my life. I’m digging deep into relationships and that take time, significant time. Sometimes it means I invite one of the college girls at my church to ride with me as I take my girl to spend a week with a friend because I want to have time to listen and talk about what’s going on in her life. Sometimes it means I spend the morning writing fast and furious so I can spend the afternoon helping my parents paint their dining room. Sometimes it means rushing to finish four tasks because the phone rang and a faraway friend needed to be heard and encouraged so my day didn’t go exactly as planned.

People take time and they need time. Which means I’m sometimes frantic trying to get all the laundry done and the groceries bought and the book reviews written because I spent the part of the day when I’m typically most productive engaging with people.

3. It’s only for a season.

Three years. That’s all the time left for my girl to be in our house. In less than a month her sophomore year of high school starts and in February she gets her driver’s license and everything feels like it’s changing so fast right now. I have an urgency about my relationship with her … because even if she lives with us and attends a local university {which is an idea she is vigorously rejecting right now}, it will be different. Right now our schedule is full of cheer practices and ball games and youth group activities … but it won’t be like this forever. These high school years are busy … but it’s fun to watch her grow and become this incredible young woman. And I just don’t want to miss any of it. So, I’m busy.

I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me. I don’t advocate busy-ness for the sake of busy-ness. But there are just seasons when life is busy. And that isn’t an indication of our spiritual dedication. I am not less devoted to Christ when my calendar is full. But I am learning new lessons about abiding and how that can happen in more ways than I ever dreamed possible. {Yes, you can expect to read more about that topic and those lessons.}

If you are in a busy season, it’s okay. Don’t feel bad … embrace the chaos and look for God around you. He’s there, in the middle of the crazy, I promise.

So, here’s the deal, I’m busy and I’m not sorry. It’s my life right now … and I can see the abundance He offers here just like He did in the quieter season that preceded this. So to you, busy wife and mom, it’s good … it’s okay … and you can experience life to the full in this season. Lean into Him.

xo,

Teri Lynne