Yes, I am Still Here!
A big “THANKS” to all of you who have checked in with me to make sure everything is okay since it has been rather quiet on my blog the past few weeks! 🙂 Yes, I am still around. Summer was a fun, but a very busy time for our family. I think the four of us were only home together three weekends the entire summer break. We had a lot of travel and other activities going on.  It got to the point where I had to make a decision on what my priorities were going to be and I chose to make the best of the last few weeks of summer break (and the first few of the new school year) by spending more time with my family.
God has been working in my heart and life over the past few months. A lot has been going on with our family, good stuff, however, even the best things take time and energy. A few weeks ago as I was being pulled in so many directions my husband kindly suggested that I “pick my priorities and let some of the other stuff go” at least for a little while until life calms down more. I took his advice and invested more of my energy into my family as the kids were gearing up to go back to school.
I have truly missed blogging and interacting with everyone online, but the extra time with my family was precious and the memories that were made during our time together was so worth it. While I hope to get back into more regular blogging I am going to try to take it easy and not stress if I don’t have a post up at least 6 days a week. It is my goal to post “regularly” just not necessarily “daily.”
Hope life has been treating all of you well! I am looking forward to sharing with you some of our recent activities and adventures soon. A lot has happened over the past few weeks! Thanks for hanging in there with me.
Heart Reflections: Living Life in the Fast Line….Going from 0 to 70 in Seconds
So often I feel like I am living life in the fast lane……zooming through life faster and faster. I don’t necessary hit the top speed but I am holding steady at a high pace for days and there is always some where to be or something to do. It is possible to fill up every blank space in your calendar (believe me I have seen it). There are those days, weeks, or months when I am just waiting for life to slow down a little bit so I can catch a deep breath, but when that glorious day arrives I realize that all the stuff I couldn’t squeeze into the schedule before hand has spilled over into that time that was once reserved for a quiet day.
Notice in the top right corner of the picture the “service engine soon” light is on.  One of the things I found myself skipping (which is kind of embarrassing to admit) is my quiet time with God. Much like the “service engine light” on the van I need to be recharged or have a tune up as well. My relationship with Christ has a significant impact on all my relationships, yet there are days when I choose to neglect the most important relationship of all because life simply just gets too busy.
When life gets too busy and I get stuck running full speed in the fast lane God has a way of slowing me down and getting my attention. Earlier this summer my husband was in a car accident. If you just looked at the vehicle the damage looked devastating, but thankfully God spared his life and he walked away with only minor injuries. I am truly grateful for God’s protection and goodness in this situation. Over the past couple months as we’ve been juggling one car, looking for another vehicle, and spending some extra time together I am reminded of His amazing grace and mercy for me. I love my husband so very much, but God loves me even more and longs to have a personal relationship with me. Why would I hold back from the most awesome relationship in my life?
I make time for what is important in my life – God, family, work, ministry, friends or whatever else that may be. Every person gets 24 hours a day. How do I spend my day, what are my priorities, am I making a positive impact on the lives around me, or am I just rushing through the “to do” list and jammed packed schedule while trying to catch my breath in between? How are my relationships being effected by my decisions?
Sometimes the best thing I can do is stop, take a break, and enjoy extra time focusing on the what’s truly important. When my heart is in the right place, my relationship with God is open and honest life seems brighter because I don’t have to live life in the fast lane or have to be the one in control because He holds my life and future in his hands. Being a Wife, Mom, Friend, and everything else can be tough some days, but when you have your priorities in line it really can be quite enjoyable. We all need to take some time every now and then to slow down, relax, and service the check engine light of our soul.
Book: “Made to Crave” by Lysa Terkeurst
I recently attended a Ladies Bible Study at our church and we went through Lysa Terkeurst’s book and study guide “Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food” It was great reading a book that redirected our focus off food or other objects that we turn to when we want comfort or for celebration and turning our focus onto God. The book isn’t a diet or healthy eating plan. It is more of a guide to help you get your priorities in place. If you are looking to eat healthier it gives you steps on how to set up a plan, find an accountability partner, and scripture to encourage you. It was a refreshing yet challenging book to read. I enjoyed going through the book and study with friends as well. It was neat hearing their thoughts about the lessons and their own journeys as well.
While I was going through the Bible Study I had the opportunity to attend the Extraordinary Women’s Conference at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, SC. I was able to hear Lysa speak during that weekend and meet her in person. It was really neat to meet the author of the book I was currently reading, I even got her to sign my two books that I had of hers! The other amazing blessing about that weekend is I was able to spend some extra time with some girlfriends while my husband took care of the girls. Having some time learning and celebrating with friends was a real treasure. Thankful for a man who gave me the opportunity to go!
Investing in Quality Moments
When life gets busy it can become even more difficult to find quality time with those who are important in our lives. It may feel like there’s not an extra moment to spare in your day between the busyness of your personal and professional schedule. Running a business and keeping up with the family takes a tremendous amount of energy.  Even if an allotted time is placed on the schedule we may be too distracted by phone calls, projects and everything else that needs your attention to really focus on that person. It doesn’t have to be a large chunk of time but it does need to be valuable for all parties involved.Do you spend quality time with your spouse, kids, friends, clients, partners, and family members on a regular basis? How do you make sure the time you spend with the different people in your life is valuable?
- Clients – when is the last time you took a customer out to lunch and listened. Their feedback is valuable to your business and they know better than anyone else what your business is doing that makes them excited about working with you as well as areas where you can improve. Follow up with a thank you note and implement the changes immediately. Creating a community of loyal customers takes time to gain their trust and maintain the relationship.
- Spouse – go on a date night with your spouse. Talk about your relationship, dreams, and memories you have together. Hold hands, laugh, and enjoy each other like you did when you first met. Listen to what your spouse is saying. Take an interest in their hobbies and share the excitement.
- Friends – go out to coffee with a friend and catch up. Find out what is going on in their lives. Sometimes all they need is a hug and someone to listen. It is nice to have some time set aside to share the good memories, however, we all go through tough times as well. Having friends that are loyal in the good times and bad is a tremendous blessing. Consider it a joy to come alongside a friend throughout their journey to listen, laugh, cry, share, and have fun.
- Children – go on a date with one child at a time. Have a blast together. Let them speak freely, be creative, and create memories. Pick a place that is meaningful to them or let them choose between a couple options. It doesn’t have to be expensive to be fun. Go to a picnic in the park, swimming, or out to eat at their favorite restaurant. Take time everyday to read a book, play a game, color, or just share about your day with your kids. Treasure the moments and memories your create together.
We all have the same amount of time as the next person. The difference is how we choose to use that time. Take advantage of those quality moments and invest in the lives around you.   Make it a priority to have quality time for those in your personal and professional life. One of the great advantages to having quality time outside of the house or office is you are more likely to focus on the other person. At home or work you have a lot of distractions that are important, however, they are not the priority at that time.
Give us an example of the types of activities you do while enjoying quality time with your clients, spouse, kids, and friends? Who do you spend quality time with on a regular basis and why?
What Are You Missing?
Do you have days that get filled with so many activities and projects that you feel as if you are rushing from one item to the next? Maybe it is just our schedule…… although I think we all need reminded occasionally of the important things in our lives. It is rather easy to fill your day with appointments, projects, and errands that need to be done both in our personal and professional lives. Then there are days that unexpected emergencies pop up and demand our attention as well…..finishing an extra project at work with a co-worker that has a deadline, taking a sick child to the Doctor, visiting a friend that needs encouragement, a flat tire on the vehicle you are driving, and so many more.During these busy days I want to encourage you to remember those things that you are truly passionate about and the people in your life who are important to you. We miss out on so many blessings in our lives because we do not pause long enough to notice and appreciate them. I am blessed beyond measure with a loving husband, two beautiful daughters, amazing friends, a great business that helps others, comfortable home, food to eat, clothes to wear, and so much more. However, on those rushed days it is harder to relax and be content even with the many blessings in my life because the little issues seem bigger and more stressful. On those days it is even more critical that I focus any extra energy I have on that which is truly valuable. It is amazing how quickly a thankful heart can lift your spirits.
My heart goes out to so many who are going through a tough season in their lives right now. May you be encouraged and know that no matter what your current circumstance may be we all have something to be thankful for in our lives. As we go into the weekend think about what you are thankful for and pause for a moment to focus on that instead of all the inconveniences of life. Relax and enjoy an incredible weekend focusing on your passions and the people in your life. What are your passions? Who are you thankful in your life?
