Where Are You Going?

Most of us have plans through out the day, I have this to do, that to do, a house to clean, dinner to cook, and oh, yes, I forgot, some sport or activity for the kids tonight. We rush around, here, there, and everywhere. We take time to make sure everyone else's needs are met, we make sure that the hardest parts of the day are met with a little more ease, and hopefully bring some joy into someone's life as we go.

Then there is the one that is left out of that time, left alone in the harriedness of the day, in the craziness and the business of the day, that we neglect the one that keeps the wheels turning. We forget that we need to recharge batteries too. God gave women the innate ability to run around, like chickens with heads cut off, keep going on high moments of lack of sleep, rest and very little time to just sit down and put our feet up for even a second.

In all the business of our lives, in the crazy days ahead, you need to realize and LEARN, as a mother, wife, business person, entrepreneur, teacher, and all other hats we wear, that you MUST take time for yourself. You NEED to take time to rest. I know, you look at the pictures you took of everyone the other day, you noticed, you are either always behind the camera, snapping all the pictures, to have a great record of the day, or you are in the background, running around, making sure that everyone else has been taken care of, the last one to sit and eat, the last one to finish cleaning up, the last one to get to go to the bathroom, and even the last one to say goodbye.

You can't continue in this fashion. Not like this, and still plan on being an intrigal part of everyone's lives, or being any good to yourself by day's end, or even week's end. Many people say, "I'll rest when I'm dead," I was one of them. But now, with having a ministry, preaching every other Sunday, running the worship service every week, still finding time to raise my children, take care of my husband, be there for people who have seen or heard about the many things you can do and want you to be an effective leader in the community, volunteer in the schools, nursing home, or even just lend a helping hand to an organization when needed.

I am the type of person that keeps going and going until everyone that needs me, doesn't need me anymore. If I hear of something that needs to be done, no matter how big or small the task is, I want to help, I put all my needs aside, take care of all I have to take care of for my family, then push forward to help where needed everywhere I am asked. I just thought, I will have plenty of time to rest later, when life settles down.

Then when I became ill, I didn't know what to do... I knew what the prognosis was for the illness, it has been around for a long time, they just didn't know what it was, and I never let it bother me before. I knew something was different, I knew I wasn't quite right, but what was I going to do? Who was I going to talk to about what I needed, how to take care of myself, and why it was happening to me? My first husband didn't believe in the illness, it was too new to the public, there was no blood test for it, I was getting so tired, from lack of sleep, pushing my self so hard, that I was getting weaker and weaker, but he just saw it as me being  lazy, and became an excuse for him not to help me anymore, neither did he take the symptoms seriously either, not with any real concern at all.

I found a doctor, who not only understood more about the disease/disorder, and told me what I needed to do to take care of the situation, and how I needed to take care of myself, so that I could still be effective in business, in ministry, and for my family and community. Getting sleep is still hard for me, even last night I only got 1 1/2 hrs of sleep, if that much at all. I have found a wonderful husband who not only has taken the time to learn about my disorder, but has also found ways to help me, support me, and to even help take some of the load off my shoulders. Thank God He sent me Bob when He did. I still want to do all I can for the Lord, for my family and community, but I now am learning my limits, I am learning to take time for myself, as a wife and mother, so that I can be effective for all situations, so that I can be fresh and ready for anything that comes my way, and not so run down that I am no good to anyone. I am also thankful that Bob has learned so much of what I do and how I do it, so that there is always back up support when I need it. A true sign of a life partner, that is for sure.

God has many plans for my life, I know where I am going. I know what my vision is and am working on how to get there. I don't let frustration and tiredness get me down, wear me out, and keep me from what has to be done. YOU can't let it get to you either. God says He gives rest to the weary. He also gives strength to the weak and encouragement to the broken hearted. He sends angels in disguise to assist you, to minister to you, and to be there when you need them, sometimes they come in the form of family, friends, spouses, or even a stranger, but they will come, when you least expect it. Open your heart, open your eyes. Find your vision, find out where you are going, then get on your way. There are people out there that need you and need what only you can provide. God will show you what that is, just open your heart and mind to Him today.