Busy Day, Busy Day, Busy, Busy, Busy Day

Do you ever get so busy that you just pass your husband/wife in the hallway or see your children maybe once or twice a week for a real conversation? Or, don't have the time in your schedule to sit down together as a family and eat a meal? This is something our family has been really struggling with lately.

May I say, I HATE IT!!

I love having time with my family and my husband and when it doesn't happen I begin to scream inside for change and it affects me in the deepest parts of my emotional being. I can't even explain it sometimes or put it into words, but it's a very real feeling.

For us, right now we're in a transition. Let me give you a shortened version: We moved from a smaller town (about 30 miles away) that basically has a slower lifestyle and it was much more convenient for us just to come home after work and just be together and hang out, whatever... We moved to an area closer to a really big city (not big like Atlanta, but pretty big - compared to where we were) because, A. we wanted to be closer to our church because we're really involved, B. daughter works at church and it would aid in her being more conveniently located and, C. it just seemed like the right thing to do and we found a house that we really loved.

I remember telling my husband that my one "fear" or "caution" in moving closer in would be that we would become "too involved" and less connected as a family. Does anyone out there understand what I'm saying??

Well, this was the topic of conversation for my hubby and I yesterday and we had a good long talk and a very big cry (both of us) about this very thing. Don't get me wrong: We LOVE our church , it's incredible and our pastor is so humble and we get fed and we love serving and on and on. We love our friendships, we love being able to run to the mall and get what's needed, we love our new house, we love it all. BUT - the biggest question is, how has it affected us as a family?? We are a close knit family and we value time together and we value character building within our family and time together and all of the things that family togetherness nurtures. So, now, we've got to work harder to maintain and re-position some of our priorities.

Yesterday, (Memorial Day - oddly enough, it was as if the Lord was saying, remember your original intentions) was a huge wake up call for us. And I don't really know what it all means but I do know some things will change. Because, what we really want in life is not found in things or other people or in DOING; what we value in life is found in the satisfaction of knowing who we are in Christ and in walking that out before our family and before other people and in serving and in BEING. And if we can't BE those people with our family then how can we go out and BE those people to others?

It starts with all of us being disciples. Jesus chose a small group of men to connect with, to pour Himself in to. I believe that is what the family is about. Although our culture tries to pull us away from that purpose, we have to come back to that very valuable place. The intimacy and connection that comes with family and the growth and accountability that it provides.

You may not understand this post; I'm not really sure that I understand it all. You may think it strange; that's okay, I guess I am a bit strange. But that doesn't matter. Because we know that our focus has shifted a bit from the most important.

I love the story in the Bible where the Lord comes to visit Mary and Martha. And Martha is busy in the kitchen doing all the stuff and Mary is just there at Jesus' feet. And Martha gets all hot and bothered that Mary's not helping. And then Jesus says to Martha, "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42) That's what it's really all about - choosing the better thing, choosing that which has eternal value.

That's what I'm talking about.