Two days ago, at our church’s moms group, we were all asked to write down a word for the year that we want to dwell on, remember, or pursue. Two years ago I chose the word LOVE (I know, probably the most cliche word possible, but it reflected some deeply personal growth I was pursuing).
The word I wrote on that pretty little piece of paper yesterday was DELIGHT. Without recognizing it, this was actually my word for 2017, but I never named it as such. So this year it is. I’ll share more about that another time though.
Today I want to share something a little different with you.
You know how there are some people (okay, maybe you and me) who, when asked how they are doing, almost always respond with, ‘I’m so busy!’ or something along those lines? This was the backdrop to my husband’s and my situation several years ago.
Cyrus and I were confronted by someone who was offended. They were hurt because we had not asked them to help out more in a particular ministry Cyrus was overseeing.
And yet, the very reason we didn’t ask was because of the often repeated remarks by this person about how busy they always were.
The incident sent my mind racing about all the implications of using that little word and prompted me to completely re-think my use of the word BUSY – the message it sends to its hearers and the intents it reveals in its speakers. In fact, it is now a word that my husband and I try to avoid like other four-letter words.
BUSY is our un-word for the year, and the rest of our lives.
Though we can recite a dictionary definition of ‘busy,’ the reality is that it can imply so much more than we realize.
‘Busyness’ can say:
Stay away.
I’m important.
I’m waiting for something better to come along.
I’m actually desperately overwhelmed internally.
I don’t want to get involved with you or your activities.
I am guilty of abusing this word.
I have used ‘busyness’ to avoid tasks I don’t want to do.
I have used ‘busyness’ to avoid relationships I don’t want to invest in.
I have used ‘busyness’ as a measure of my greatness.
I have used ‘busyness’ as a measure of my spirituality.
As I look at this list, I realize that ultimately ‘busyness’ has been a way in which I lie to myself and to others about what is really going on in my heart. Ouch. But, I’m certain I am not alone in misusing this word.
I read a book recently called “Between Walden and the Whirlwind” by Jean Fleming. It’s all about ordering our lives in such a way that everything revolves around our Center, around Christ. In one chapter, Fleming addresses this idea of busyness. I love so much about what she had to say, mostly because it was convicting, yet it also spurred me on in my walk with the Lord. She says this:
“The goal of much that is written about life management is to enable us to do more in less time. But is this necessarily a desirable goal? Perhaps we need to get less done, but the right things.”
The Right Things. This is what I want to be doing. I want to schedule my days according to my values and my relationship with the Lord. I want to prioritize what God prioritizes. I want others to see me as ‘available’ – not too busy for them. I never want to say ‘I’m busy’ again.
That doesn’t mean life isn’t full of activity, but that that activity is prayerfully and thoughtfully chosen – yes and no are chosen out of obedience and love toward God. I’m far from perfect at living this way, but it’s still my aim.
Speaking of doing the Right Thing, another great encouragement to me lately has been a podcast by Emily P. Freeman called The Next Right Thing. She gracefully and artistically delves into the process of decision making and using the time, energy, and resources we have received to best serve the Lord. I highly recommend listening!
So that’s it. My un-word for the year.
Do you have a word, attitude, or idea that may need to be ‘un-worded’ in your life? A phrase that runs more toward a lie than the truth? I’d love to hear what God may reveal to you – leave a comment below!
I’ll leave you (and me) with this admonition from the Apostle Paul:
P.S. – Here’s another quote from Jean Fleming that I just had to share: “The emphasis is not learning to pack more into each day, so much as learning to order our day according to God’s will. We must recover our time from wasteful activities, and liberate it for God’s purposes.” I just love this idea of liberating our time for God’s purposes. It rings of freedom and peace and joy to me! These are the very blessings that we experience in living for God’s kingdom rather than our own.
P.S.S. – More than ever, I am persuaded that the only endeavor of true value in this life is Aiming at Heaven – pursing a loving and obedient relationship with our Lord and Savior. It’s my goal for this blog to share with you how God is continuing to teach and transform this life of mine that it might be an encouragement as He teaches and transforms you too! If you would like to receive an email when a new post is published, you can sign up below. It only takes a moment.
Blessings!
Lydia is in 4th grade and doing very well. She transitioned between schools better than we anticipated – we are very thankful. This fall Lydia was also able to join the orchestra for the first time and she chose to play the Cello. She seems to be picking it up pretty well. In Track and Field, Lydia also enjoyed the High Jump. She ran the 400 and 800 and smiled most of the way through. She is a child who loves and needs to be in constant motion! Lydia loves math, doing head stands, and joking around.
Charis entered 2nd grade this fall. Our move was probably most difficult for her. But, we can tell she is beginning to settle in more and more as time goes by. Charis ran sprints in Track and Field in the Spring, but she especially enjoyed the Long Jump – and she did really well! Her longest jump was just shy of nine feet! She is pretty excited to keep improving in this area. Charis has also really grown to enjoy baking and cooking. She’s starting her own collection of kitchen tools and decorating supplies and has dreams of owning her own bakery someday 🙂 Because of some issues with her vision, academics have not always been her favorite thing. However, we are noticing a lot of improvement since she has been in eye therapy. We are very thankful to have caught this problem early on and to have access to helpful treatment.
Caleb started Kindergarten this year and is absolutely loving it! He is very social and most everyone he meets becomes a friend. He also loves the academic aspect of school. He catches on pretty quickly and likes to talk about what he is learning. We sometimes jokingly call him ‘the little professor.’ Caleb really enjoyed learning to swim better at grandma and grandpa’s pool this summer. In the past he has been pretty nervous around the water, but he made some great strides this year and now begs to go swimming. Caleb enjoys biking, playing at the park, and video games.
Lukas turned four in October. His is our first child to attend Pre-school. He goes Tuesday and Thursday mornings. It’s fun for him to get to be with the other kids since all his siblings are at school all day. Lukas also became a much more confident swimmer this summer – even jumping off the diving rock a few times! Lukas loves puzzles and coloring as well as scootering and just running. He’s developing quite the sense of humor and is undoubtedly the ‘baby of the family.’
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