Balancing Life

Any tired mamas out there? Or should I say; any tired people out there? Holy moly; can you say WORN OUT!?!

I started the new year with intentions of writing more and last night while getting a few minutes with my hubby before we crashed in bed, he asked me when I was going to throw up another post. I almost immediately felt the heaviness that my anxiety brings, but I took a breath and reminded myself that writing is a part of therapy for me. A release, if you will, of emotions that I’m still working on not keeping tucked inside. So, here I am today, worn out, struggling with the current busyness of our lives, but so thankful for a space here to just share and hopefully encourage.

This new year has continued with crazy schedules for our family and though we are exhausted, we are happy, and so blessed to be in this season. You won’t find us complaining, but you will find us super tired, our heads hitting the pillows as early as possible to get in some rest, and when we’re not committed to things outside of the house, you’ll more than likely find us at home soaking up any time we can get as a family. You may find us learning to say no to certain things we wish we could be a part of like book studies and coffee dates or dinner dates, but as we’re navigating each responsibility in our lives right now by giving them our best; we know this is a season. Seasons change and we know that the busyness will slow down at some point and if it doesn’t, we’ll continue to learn how to better pace ourselves in this race of life. I hope. ;)

For those of you going through a similar busy time in your lives, I want to encourage you with a few things that have helped me lately.

One, know that it’s ok to say no to things. You don’t have to fill your schedules completely just to accommodate every offer that comes your way. Your friends and family love you and will always be there, they’ll understand that you’re a in a busy season, and may even step up to help you out! I have a friend who’s making our family dinner on the night that my hubby is working late. Community at its finest. J

Two, make your spouse a priority. Work, church, friends, kids, etc. Those things fill so much of my schedule right now, but my hubby, he’s a priority and when I’m not giving him the attention he needs, we’re both hurting. There’s something incredible about being intentional with your spouse especially during busy seasons. (Be ready for some intentional time tonight baby! After all, it is Valentine’s Day! Sorry, I couldn’t resist!)

Three, make yourself a priority. How? That’s usually my response when people remind me I need to stop and make sure I’m taking care of myself. It’s not an easy task for me to make sure I’m taking care of myself when I literally feel like there’s no extra minutes in my day, but truth be told, I can make time and so can you. For me, I just need a few minutes to decompress, breath in the beauty that’s in my life, and remember what I was created for. So, put down your phone, stop scrolling on social media apps, go sit on the couch and watch your favorite show, go take a hot bath, read a few chapters of a new book, go eat your favorite dessert after the kids are in bed; whatever it takes, do it. If you can swing it and it doesn’t overwhelm you, then go grab a quick coffee with a friend. Just make sure that you find time for you during finding time for everyone and everything else.

Finally; the most important piece of advice I can give you; spend time with Jesus EVERYDAY as much as you can!! If that’s all you can do during this busy time, then it’ll be everything you need. Don’t put pressure yourself to wake up and read an entire book of the bible or spend a certain amount of time journaling; just spend time with Him. Talk to Him, rest in His presence, worship Him, sing to Him, love on Him, smile at Him, thank Him; give Him as much of you as you can and friends, He’ll provide joy and peace. He’ll be the thing that keeps you moving during the busyness and He won’t let you whither and fail. He’s amazing and if I didn’t have time with Him filling my cup each day then I’d be empty and dry with nothing left to give to anyone.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”

This verse I have been clinging lately. Seasons change, but I know that He doesn’t. His promises and His word remains the same and for that I’m so thankful. I can have confidence that when I place my trust and hope in Him I’ll be ok.

Now, find some time to do all 4 of those things before you go to bed! Ha! Just kidding!! If I were reading this, that’s where my mind would go. “Ok, Krista, the day is not over, say no to something, spend time with the hubby, do something for myself, and go talk to Jesus. I’ve got this. Let’s do it!”

Tonight, pick one thing and do it joyfully. J

Love you all!

xoxo,

Krista