I worked almost 39 hours last week. Now, some may say, "What's the big deal? I worked 60." To which I will reply, "Oh really? Did you work 60 while your two-year-old played baseball behind your chair? Were your 12-year-old and 14-year-old lounged on the couch watching reruns of "Happy Days" while you were on the phone with clients? Or was the 12-year-old playing his PS3 incessantly in the background? Did your washing machine overflow on Monday? Did your internet service stop working while you were frantically trying to meet a deadline? How many times did your two-year-old ask to watch 'Buzz' (Toy Story)?" I'm not asking for pity, but I am asking for suggestions. If you work from home, how do you achieve a balance? We have certain rules in our family, i.e., the kids are really not supposed to watch more than an hour of TV per day. How do I enforce that when I am going crazy to meet a deadline? How do you manage to do your job without feeling like you are neglecting your family and your responsibilities to care for them? How on earth do you have a quiet time each day?
A friend shared these excerpts from Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling" (April 1), and I have been trying to read them each day to help me keep perspective:
"You yearn for a simplified lifestyle, so that your communication with Me can be uninterrupted. But I challenge you to relinquish the fantasy of an uncluttered world. Accept each day just as it comes, and find Me in the midst of it all.
A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even if many things remain undone at the end of the day. Do not let your to-do list (written or mental) become an idol directing your life. Instead, ask My Spirit to guide you moment by moment. He will keep you close to Me."
I know I need to stay close to Him, and everything else will fall into place, but, ugh, it isn't always easy.
