In Other Words Tuesday ~ April 24,2007

"Busyness Is Not A Spiritual Gift"

Lisa Harper



Dear Friends,

Years ago moving from the East Coast to the West Coast, leaving friends and family behind, I forged ahead with the our family to make a new life. We moved for my husbands job but it was still hard. I felt like the world was on my shoulders to make everything right in my children's eyes especially my daughter being a teenager and leaving her friends. I made many new friends, found new experiences, and found friends that would become family. I also started volunteering for different organizations, became a elected official and helped my children learn the gift of giving isn't always money. The gift of giving is from your heart, your time and your energy to benefit another. We enjoyed those times together. Helping others ,bonding as a family and growing in the Lord.
Slowly though I felt it taking over my life. I knew my friends and organizations didn't have enough people for the needed community fund raiser , or meals driven to shut ins, camp fund raisers for children with eye problems, seeing eye dogs needed training, the school district needed me ...the list went on. Please don't misunderstand I loved every minute of helping , bringing joy to others and along with that teaching my children values. My family has always come first for me after the Lord. So there were clothes to wash, food to buy , and meals to prepare. You are all moms, or wives , sisters or friends you know. I began to find not only did I feel guilty saying no, but no one expected me to. I found many got upset when I or one of my family members did say the dreaded no. When my husband had an accident at work and I saw some still expected us to do so much,it was then that I realized God didn't impose these things on me , people pleasing , others and I were doing it to myself. I had to let a lot go and focus back on my family and the Lord. I realized his subtle messages to me were what I needed to hear.
We had to move from our beloved community once again for a job. I have once again made new friends, found new experiences and have kept in touch with all my friends. I have loved every minute of my time learning new things, teaching my children values but would never get on the people pleasing merry go round again. Having the Lord, my family and my priorities set are important to me to live my life in the Lords vision and path.

May you be blessed this week in the Lord.
I will enjoy reading and learning from all your posts. Thank you Christine for hosting this weeks In other words Tuesday.

In his endless love,

Angel