Living in Balance -- Part 1

It's been a trying week. The reality of working with many people to accomplish tasks for the good of our children doesn't always end up smelling like roses. I haven't really been up to blogging. When you deal with 15-20 emails a day with regard to conflict negotiations, needs, concerns, etc. it doesn't leave much energy for "thinking out loud".

But just now, I've had so many thoughts going through my head -- I know it is time to write. It seems that lately I've been hesitant to write. I think this falls under the category of "wisdom" -- and I'm so thankful that God has been creating in me a desire to really think and pray before I speak.

I've known that I should write a post on "balance" for several months now, but I've been avoiding it. For the most part this is due to my desire to NOT seem like a "know-it-all" when I really don't KNOW IT ALL. And also because I don't always LIVE in balance myself so I'm not sure anything I have to say is worth listening to :) No one enjoys being preached at indirectly through a blog post, myself included.

I think it's important for you to realize that when I write, it is with a strong conviction to share what God is teaching ME -- not necessarily what I believe He should be teaching YOU. Finally, I'm not even sure ANYONE actually reads this blog other than a very few. I'm not sure what those numbers at the bottom of the sidebar represent because I RARELY, if ever, receive a comment so it is hard to know if this just floats around in cyber space or if what I share actually ever makes a bit of difference! (Yes, this is a hint. Comments are valued and appreciated).

God has taught me a great deal on this topic of "balance"-- particularly in the last 5 years -- and it is He who is nudging me to write . . . so I'm responding in obedience.

Living in balance is a daily choice. It is the choice between doing TOO MUCH and not DOING ENOUGH. It is a dance we all play -- some of us better than others, and some better at different seasons of life. This daily choice for me is played out in a myriad of ways:
-- Do I keep the house clean or do I let it go right now to play a geography game with the boys or teeter totter with my daughter?
-- Do I grate carrots, wash grapes, and make ahead whole wheat pancakes for the sake of efficiency or do I sit and talk with my husband?
-- Do I take that extra 15 minutes in the morning to pray, read my Bible, and stretch or do I answer my emails so that I won't have to be in front of the computer later on that morning?
-- Do I exercise or lay in bed prayerfully considering my day?
-- Do I complete the excellent (albeit boring and tedious) grammar program or do I find creative (and perhaps less meaningful) ways to teach grammar and writing to my 11 year old?
-- Do I choose a walk with a girlfriend who I know will challenge me in my walk with Christ or do I choose to walk with my son and talk about history and homeschooling and peer relationships?
-- Do I choose to garden with my daughter or plan next year's history curriculum?
-- Do I choose to stick to the schedule or ad-lib today based on the various extra things we have in our day?
-- Do I choose to look at behavior issues as opportunities for growth and teaching or do I simply react because this will be the 3rd set of sentences and the fourth lecture in the same day?
-- Do I allow the various (and excellent) extracurricular involvements in our lives drive our schedule or the other way around?

The list are endless and daily.

As a homeschooling mom, I can rapidly come to the point of being overwhelmed. It can become a way of life to live in this state -- a natural consequence of handling and balancing a whole lot of responsibility. Everyone responds to this differently. I know of moms who hunker down and work through the night to accomplish all that they feel is necessary in order to give their all to their families. I know of moms who respond with absolute stagnation and helplessness - becoming incompetent to handle even the most simple of household tasks, let alone educating their children. I know of moms who toss it aside and throw the baby out with the bathwater so to speak -- simplifying to the point of "less is more" (but to the detriment of their children's educational future). And I know of moms who actually take on MORE because they get some sort of high from being driven with adrenaline.

The challenge of living in balance is knowing how to flourish in between these realities of doing TOO MUCH and yet NOT ENOUGH. I believe it is living within the reality of wanting a "Mary" heart while doing a "Martha" job. The key to balance for me and my life is simply this -- LISTEN and OBEY.

Listen to that still small voice -- the nudging of the Holy Spirit -- which guides and protects and directs like no other. Be obedient. There are times to hold fast to "your" plans ... and there are times to surrender. Listen with your whole heart. Seek wise counsel. Pray. Choose wisely daily. Rest in the knowledge that God can make up the difference where you leave off. When you do get out of balance (and this WILL happen - often daily) -- just refocus and try again. Let go when you need to. Learn the value in saying, "No thank you. That sounds wonderful but I'm afraid it just isn't the right choice for my family right now." Move beyond the criticism you feel aimed at you. Keep your eyes straight ahead. Choose balance as much as God makes it possible in your life dear friend ... it will bring peace and satisfaction beyond measure.