In our bible study group we are studying John Ortberg's book "The Life I Always Wanted". Last night's topic and discussion hit me really hard and I thought I'd share about it.
Our society is so busy (especially Calgary...even people from Ottawa think Calgary is busy). We are in a hurry to do everything. The author asked how many of us when pulling up to a red light examine each lane to determine which has the least amount of cars, the fastest cars and what appear to be the fastest drivers. Or while in the grocery store pick the line with the least amount of people with the emptiest carts! I'm really guilty of that one. Sometimes I have reason like my kids are going crazy and need to get home, or Hallie has to pee, or I feel like I'm going to puke, but, in all honesty, I do it all the time out of habit. I'm not in a rush to get anywhere, especially if I out by myself in the evening.
John Ortberg once asked one of his mentors for advice and the advice he received was "you must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life". It's hard to do when society is all about quick and easy. We even have 2-1 shampoo and conditioner to help speed up the process of having a shower.
He also gave examples of how we hurry our children and when I look back, I've done it alot. I quite often say "Hallie hurry up and eat your supper" when really, there isn't any reason to hurry. Hurry and eat so I can hurry and clean up so that we can hurry and get you to bed so that I can hurry and do the laundry so I can hurry and.... It happens at bath time and many other times. I ask them to hurry and then realize, that I don't have anywhere to go or anything to do. I'll ask Hallie to put her coat when we go for a walk and she is taking to long for my liking and I'll just do it for her. Would it kill me to wait another minute for her to do it so she can feel like she's accomplished something and made me proud rather than feeling like she disappointed and failed me when she really hasn't.
We read a few scripture passages to back this up...many of them were familiar to me and it was a great reminder.
Do not be anxious about anything, be still and know....and there are many others.
So, my goal for the next few weeks is to SLOW DOWN, prioritize my life, let my children be children, take time for myself to do NOTHING and not feel guilty about it, as well as spend time alone in quiet to LISTEN to God's voice...I think it's hard for him to talk to me (or rather, for me to listen) when I'm always in such a hurry.
2 comments:
Blogger just deleted my comment. I was just saying that I am impressed to have another blog update so soon!! You have some good thoughts here and I see myself in them, as I do nearly everything you mentioned (shortest line at the store, etc.)
I always said I would like a couple more hours a day because I never feel like I get enough accomplished. If I had the 2 extra hours, I am sure I would use it for more work and not for more purposeful things. We do it to ourselves!
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