What happens in your life when things get crazy?
Do you have great systems and routines in place that serve as guardrails? Or do you go off the rails and suffer?
Today I have a devotion running about a time when life was pretty nutso in my family. Everyone was on hyper-speed and we let go of many important family priorities just to get things done. It was a time when there was no margin for anything unplanned.
I learned a lot during that season, and one of the life-long lessons I learned was to set healthy boundaries around my time so there is margin for the unexpected. Maybe you are thinking, that sounds great, but what does it really mean? And how can I do something like that?
Setting healthy boundaries looks different for each of us because we are wired differently. Here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years that have helped me avoid a repeat of my crazy fall.
1. Make sure your external demands don’t exceed your internal resources.
Let me explain what that means. If you and I take on the same responsibility at church, it might take us both two hours to do. On the surface this looks comparable. However, if this responsibility fuels you but drains me, then you have a greater internal resource to be able to manage it. You might be able to move right on to the next project, while I need time to recover.
As we look at our schedules, we can’t just look at time. We must take our internal resources in to consideration, and build in more time around activities that are draining.
2. Look at your life as an editor looks at writing.
I’ve been an editor for almost 20 years, and one of the most fulfilling parts of my job is when I have to shorten a document. I love looking at sentences and deciding how to make them shorter. This process involves either removing unnecessary words, or selecting one or two strong words to replace a series of weaker words.
Here’s an example:
- They decided that they would make pizza.
- They decided to make pizza.
The sentence is so much stronger and clearer without those extra words. We can all be editors in our own lives. We can look at the areas that are “wordy” or padded with unnecessary activity, and decide what we can remove to strengthen our lives. Ask yourself: What is taking up time or energy that you should let go?
I often find myself holding on to something from a past season, when God wants me to open my hands to receive what’s new in this season. By paring down our commitments, we will naturally find ourselves living with more margin.
3. Identify what’s most important to you and schedule it.
Many times when life gets chaotic, I shift into fire-fighting mode. I just solve one problem after another and neglect what’s most important. It can make me feel like I don’t really have control over my life.
But by taking some time to think about what is really important, and scheduling time for that to happen, it shifts my sense of control. I realize I do have the ability to make choices, and it feels empowering.
I remember when a friend told me she scheduled time for a bubble bath. At first I laughed, but then I realized how smart she really was. That bath time refilled her heart, and reset her attitude. It wasn’t just relaxing, it was restoring. And if she had to make an appointment with herself for a bubble bath, then so be it!
GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED: Congrats Jennifer Pharr! Please check your email for details. Thank you! Thanks so much for joining me today. Before you go, I’d love to hear from you. I’m giving away a copy of my new book Doing Busy Better, releasing July 4. To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment on my blog and I will choose one random winner on Monday, June 19, to receive a copy of my new book when it releases (U.S. Addresses only please).
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In Doing Busy Better, Glynnis Whitwer helps you examine your heart and your schedule in order to seek a healthy, holy, and enjoyable balance between work and rest. She shows you how to prioritize your goals and your time, how to be present in the moment as Jesus was, and how to find the freedom of true soul rest. Most importantly, she shows you that your worth is found not in your accomplishments but in the love of the One who made you for work and for rest.
Preorder Doing Busy Better here by June 30 and receive these bonuses: “Overcoming Burnout” bonus chapter and a Daily Planner Template Printable.
Yes! Thanks for this practical wisdom. Excited to check out the book!
Excellent article full of Gods wisdom for all of us that overextend our time!!! Praise God for sharing with us!!!
Thanks for this timely blog post & book, I’m anxious to read it and get more tips on how to create work life balance.
I’m thinking you wrote this book for ME. So exited I found your blog and info about your upcoming book!!
The timing of your blog post, devotional and upcoming book are certainly God’s Way of reminding me to be sure my time is being well spent. As we all know it actually isn’t my time, it’s His. I loved the wisdom and guidance from the post. I can also relate to the story from your devotional. I look forward to your new book!
Thank you for sharing. I need to learn this so badly. Looking forward to the new book!
This hits close to home. I recently left a job in management at a company I worked for for 12 years. I’m now working 30 hrs/wk at a startup. That should be better and it is. But I’ve added on consulting work and I lead a nonprofit and I lead a small group and I manage the middle school experience at church plus I have an 11 year old daughter who loves volleyball and movies. My life has gotten crazy and I need some balance.
Busyness is something our family has really been struggling with this season. I can’t wait to read this book because I know we need to be less busy, but I can’t figure out where to cut back. We do have some boundaries in place, but we are still on overload!
Your book sounds great and timely for so many people. I would enjoy reading it and look forward to its release. Thank you so much for all that you do. Have a great day!
This was for me!!! I needed this today!!! It brought comfort to my soul. Thank you for your words!!!!
Such a beautiful and important reminder. Thank you for this! It was freeing to read this and I’m excited to make some changes in my schedule. So excited for your book release!
Thank you! I’ve been struggling with busyness in my life for a long time. I always seem to have too much going on and very little time for the things that relax me and bring me peace. I know I need to cut out some things; I just don’t know where.
As I struggle with the idea of a career change, I wonder if this is God’s plan to”correct” my busyness. I would love to win a copy of your book.
I just started my first full time job. There is a lot of training that makes my work hours not regular. It is hard for my husband and I to adjust. Even though it is just the 2 of us, I feel like we get overwhelmed at the busyness. This is definitely something I want to take to heart and put into practice!
Stretched between the seasons of still raising our children while also caring for aging parents, the busyness game is no joke. Navigating life tugs at every turn as everyone seems to need a piece of each day. This book is a well timed.
Look forward to reading your book and applying wisdom you share into our crazy busy lives with 3 active boys ( never got my girl but not giving up).. I am getting better every day at “Taming My To Do List” and thankful for your help.
May God bless you and your beautiful family.
Thank you for these words of wisdom! They came at a time that I needed them. Crazy describes my life right now and what my life has been. I intend to put your words into play in my life. I will turn to God to help me discern what my boundaries are. What is needed and what is not.
I am really looking forward to your book!! This is such an important topic!!
Looking forward to your book after having just come out of a very busy season in my life. I have realized I need to change some things.
With overscheduled lives and unrealistic expectations, many of us can use some guidance to set appropriate boundaries as God intended for us. Thank you for this book!!
I would love to enter this giveaway on behalf of my friend. She’s a special ed teacher, a great friend and a great servant (she’s always proactively offering her help and looks for needs that must be filled in every community that’s she’s a part of- school, church, friends, etc) but this leads to her operating at near burn-out level pretty much all the time. I think and hope this book would serve as an inspiration for her to create some “white space”, boundaries and margins as she plans out her days and weeks and before she makes any extra commitments in order to bring her life to a more sane level 🙂 .
This book was meant for me!! I look forward to reading the book. Thank you for your inspiration!
I cannot wait to read this… we are just starting to breathe again after a season like you mentioned in the P31 devotional. I have never looked at all the things I add to my schedule in the way you begin to break it down….need this book! Thank you!
As a family, we are constantly trying to be cautious of overloading our schedule to stay away from the chaos that comes from too much going on. I am looking forward to encouragement from your new book!
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
I struggle with boundaries. I can’t wait to see how this book can help me improve in this area!
I feel overwhelmed on a daily basis. I have a lot of priorities at work and at home, and I have said “no” to a few things. Clutter has gotten out of hand because I’m moving from one responsibility to the next. Oh, I do hope I can find the time to read your book and gain some Godly wisdom! Thanks!
As a single mom of three kids, one with special needs, I feel as if busy is the only way my life runs. Work, school, after school activities and church fill our days as we move from one activity to the other.
We make it a priority to use the time in the car to pray as a family and share our roses, thorns and stems of the days. I’m still trying to figure out how to balance it all and often times I can’t.
The guilt I feel of scheduling time for me is so hard to do. There is ALWAYS something that needs to be done now and things which need attention NOW. Being busy all the time is so exhausting.
As always, very inspiring post today – unfortunately, it hit too close to home! My topsy-turvy world keeps getting crazier by the minute! I used to be so organized – but there are days when making the bed is my biggest accomplishment. Looking forward to reading “Doing Busy Better” – so timely as my husband and I are separating so I will be a single parent (again!) in the near future.
Your words are so true. Retirement doesn’t change the hectic pace. I find myself swallowed in busyness more often, now that my time isn’t as structured. Yes, I have the luxury of relaxing mornings, but it’s too easy to over-volunteer.
I particularly enjoyed the portion of today’s devotion about the necessecity of white space on the page. As a music teacher it reminded me of the importance of rests on the written music. Beginning students will often ignore and overlook rests without pausing, and remind them that the rests are just as important as the notes!
Beautiful words today and such a timely reminder because although we seem to just get busier and busier, we must have some breathing room.
The timing of this blog post is so perfect for me right now as I try to make some decisions about my role in women’s ministry at my church.
Those were great practical tips. I will definitely be using those I look toward our summer schedule and even more so when school starts back up. Thank you.
I really need this book right now. We are in the process of remodeling the family farmhouse to move into, prepping ours to sell, getting one kid ready to move to college, and visiting colleges with the next kid as she prepares to enter her senior year.
Thank you for your much needed encouragement and reminders. I look forward to your new book and appreciate the opportunity to win a copy.
Thanks for this devotion. At any stage in life we definitely need a balance. We need to say no to good activities when it begins to to become too much as you are describing in the devotional. My husband and I always wanted the simpler life which we pretty much have in our retirement years.
This was great timing. I have been struggling with managing what needs to be done now and what can wait. Bringing God into my life and handing over my struggles is what I need.
Looking forward to reading your book! I definitely need additional boundaries.
I lost my job a few weeks ago and my life at home with 3 kids is so much busier! I already knew it would be but maybe I thought it might feel a little like a vacation until I found something else but I was so wrong. This blog makes so much sense and is exactly what I needed to hear this morning. Thank you!
Thanks so much for this wonderful devotion and reminder. Even in retirement busyness can consume our days!
Looking forward to your book! You’re speaking directly to where my family and I are right now.
I just signed up on your blog and am looking forward to getting to know you.
Learning to have margin has been a process for me. I tend to think I have it and then uncontrollable circumstances happen. Just recently two of my three children had sports injuries, so I was at the doctor and physical therapy a few times a week. I don’t know if I really could have built in enough margin in my life for that! I had to say no to other things in my life in order to have margin (rest) to get through that time. I continue to learn more about myself as I get older and learn how much margin I need.
I am looking forward to reading your book!
This is so true! I have went through seasons of my life where I didn’t set boundaries and I was forced to slow down by stress related sickness that took several years to over come. I have recovered and now I find myself going right back to the same lifestyle. It is so important to change before you are forced to slow down. However, I’m not really sure how to find that balance. I look forward to reading your book and today I will start seeking out that balance. My first step will be praying for God to direct me. Thank you for letting God use you to help change lives. ❤️
Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us this morning. What especially spoke to me was your first point: “Make sure your external demands don’t exceed your internal resources.”
Thank you for this thought provoking message. I am in a season where my internal resources have been diminished greatly. My mind and body are in conflict often. What I used to be able to manage and what I can healthily manage at this season are quite different …..it’s humbling. Setting boundaries has been key for me, but is in stark contrast with how many others in my circle live.
Doing Busy Better – I am excited to dig in. I haven’t been much of a reader. I read Tamming the To Do List. It was crazy – I would read out loud to my husband – “It is exactly me”.
I couldn’t believe how much it spoke to me.
I am a mom of a 2yr, a wife of a great man, I work full-time as a receptionist for a specialist, as well as I volunteer for the Children’s Ministry at our church (we joke that I work full-time for a part-time availability).
These books are definitely speaking to the season I am living. I know how I am doing things are not working, I am trying to find encouragement, life lessons and a way that I won’t lose myself or my relationships (with family and God).
Thank you for willing to share your life-experience and knowledge! Thank you for your honesty and encouragement! I look forward to reading Doing Busy Better.
I love your writing style and would love to read your thoughts and ideas in your new book!
I SO Love This!!! I Watched & Learned About Priorities &’Balance from Observing My Precious Mom, Millie. From her Amazing Love & Hard Work for My Dad and for us 3 kids (all of us less than 4 Years Apart) as well as the things that drained her JOY. I accepted that we all have just 24 hours in a day, and we differ in our choices of just how much Passion, Responsibility & Energy we have for each day. I learned early on if I let Balance get Out of Control, Everything I LOVE Goes NUTSY!!!! I try to Visualize my Day from the End & Go Backwards from there & Set My Priorities/Boundaries. I am now 65, This Process has Served me Well (for the most part) throughout The Seasons of My Life to Protect My JOY & Peace.
Kathy
It seems like my plate gets overpiled so quickly with commitments. Good intentions lead to being overwhelmed. I loved and needed this devotion as a reminder to seek God for balance.
Great! I regularly mark 2 days each month as free days and, like the solid yellow lines on a road, there is NO PASSING allowed into that family time by any activities or demands from our four kids. So worth it, for a refreshing breath of calm together.
Thank you for this reminder and the chance to win one of your new books. I tend to allow myself to become too busy with things that pull me from where I need to be. Home with my family. I forget to pray before saying “yes” to things. How can we forget to pray to see if it’s something we should be doing. I always regret the choices I make when I miss this important step. Your post was just what I needed to remind me to get back on track and I look forward to your book to help me get there.
I am guilty of trying to weed out responsibilities in my life only to replace them with something else. All are good, worthy of my effort options, but I can’t do them all! Thank you for a great column today. I really got me thinking!
Looking forward to reading your new book!
Wrote these tips down in my journal because so often my external demands have drained me. Looking forward to your book & the helpful advice to put into practice.
I loved these thoughts on setting boundaries. Looking at it as an editor was eye opening and helpful for me. Thank you!
It was the white space that drew me. How the white space affects how one views or doesn’t view something. It gets overwhelming without it. Even though I’m “retired,” things still seem to get rushed, just too much. I plan to seek more “white space” in my life in certain areas with the Lord’s help. Thank you and blessings.
I loved this and need encouragement in this area. I especially like the scripture references. Would love to read your book. Thank you!!
I definitely get sucked into the culture and busyness that surrounds is! Thanks for the practical tips and words of focus.
Thank you for the practical insight! The idea of balancing internal resources and external demands is freeing! We are all created different and have different strengths with different recovery times and needs. Sometimes I need that gentle reminder. It helps me be more grace-full. Thanks! Looking forward to your new book!
I have been looking for balance in my life latley. Though it seems I have lots of free time, I never feel rested or relaxed, I always feel there is something else that needs to be done. I would love to see what else you have to say in your book!
Just what I needed this morning. Finding balance in a busy world.
Love the editing life encouragement!
I really need to evaluate the things that drain & recharge me and add extra margin around some things! Thank you!
It’s difficult to view our busyness from a perspective outside of ourselves, so we can prioritize and eliminate. It all seems so important!
This post and tips were so practical and encouraging to me! Just what I need to hear in this season of my life–thank you!
Would love to have this book. Sounds exactly like my life right now.
This was helpful to read today. Thank you! I’m struggling to see how I can apply it. Could use some prayer.
Dear Lord,
Please be with my sister in Christ & help her to be able to look around & find Your blessings along the path of her life. Your truth tells us that if any of us asks for wisdom You will give it–help her to believe & not doubt that You are always working all things for good. As we seek You with our whole hearts–You will answer & lead us in Your Way everlasting. Amen.
This is exactly whereI am! Always busy, accomplishing nothing. I need help to turn this around.
So timely are your messages in my mailbox. For a stage of my life, I did crazy busy. I’m entering the next phase and would appreciate a good resource to not have a repeat of crazy busy. Thank you.
We, too , have five kids and I feel ragged most of the time. Your post speaks volumes to me. I would love to read this book! I can’t figure out how to pare things down since no kid is the one with all the activities.
This is something I definitely need to work on as a single mom!
Thank you God for these words! God really used you to speak to my heart today. I quit my 15 year old love of my life career to be a stay at home mom. Managing my home & my time never had so this many options OR limitations! Wanting to be obedient to the Lord though–I’m here asking His guidance on where He needs me to be. Maybe He led me to this post to find out how. I love your idea on SCHEDULING in what is important to my family! So that date night I keep praying for God to carve time out of my schedule for—I need to put it on the calendar or it won’t happen. SO simple. SO life-giving. Looking forward to reading this book!!
Finding balance is an ongoing struggle. I’m always needing advice in this area. I would love to read your book!
Your book sounds fabulous! And very timely, as God is. I would love to read it!
I have never read much into this topic, it always just felt like I wasn’t doing enough. This opens my eyes to truly prioritizing and learning where my limitations are. Just because I can do it does not mean I should do it. I am very grateful for running into your post. It’s a reminder that God’s always looking out for me and placing the help I need when I need it. Thanks again for your words.
Your book sounds intriguing! Our family is in that oversheduled season of life. I am constantly telling my husband, “Something tells me this craziness we have created is not part of God’s plan for us, Yet here we are.” I would welcome some wisdom in creating boundaries for sure!
As a family, we are dedicated to a family night each week as well as devotions together in the am and individually in the pm. These are priorities. However, I am quickly learning we are entering a season where this will be mightily challenged. I have a freshman who already wants to sign up for everything and a 6th grader and 2nd grader into sports…you can see where I am going with this. I pray that we are able to daily make choices based on our priorities instead of reacting to every outside demand…oh, and did I mention that my husband is a pastor? No time is sacred. We need to make our family time boundaries, for sure, but also ask for God’s protection of them. Thank you for your words of wisdom! Sounds like another excellent book!
This book sounds like it has some valuable information. I think every family struggles with being busy. I don’t want to just be busy, doing tasks that don’t have much meaning, and feeling like we are just getting by. Never having time for the really important stuff!
I could definitely stand to learn how to do busy better! Thanks for the giveaway!
Oh my! Exactly what I am needing right now. I feel like I’m drowning in busyness and responsibilities.
I am interested in the new book!
I really hope I win this!!!! I have a new friend who just had to return to work full time. she is a Mother of 3 and presently experiencing horrible migraines. I feel it is caused by the change in her life.
thanks for sharing all your wisdom with us!
Cheryl
I ran across this post in God’s perfect timing. I’m so excited about this book
Thank you for sharing your wisdom. This is an area in which I struggle. I want to say yes to everything, but then pay the high price later when I’m stretched beyond what I can manage. I am looking forward to reading this book and prayerfully applying it to my life.
Thank you for your wonderful insight! I try to leave “margins” in my life but have never thought about putting it on a schedule. This will definitely come in handy during the busy seasons of work and family life.
I enjoyed your devotional today. I really need to have margins in my life. Looking forward to your book.
I just left a ministry I founded, in large part because of family demands, health problems, and stress. It was hard to let go, but it had become the driving force in my life, which inverted my priorities, with God and my family getting the leftovers. I’m looking for wisdom to take into the next season of life, a season where there is margin. Thanks for your devotional. It was perfect for me today.
It was enlightening to read your advice about taking stock of our internal resources. I never thought consciously about that before – thanks! I always enjoy reading your posts!
LOVE this. So needed and very timely. Thank you!!!
Good advice – love the scheduled bubble bath. 🙂
Thanks for this very timely reminder! Im feeling completely overwhelmed by the demands of work and needing to meet external expectations when I don’t have the internal resources to do so in a healthy way. Would love to win a copy of this book!
I preorderd this book in January and can’t wait for it to arrive! I have an A+ in procrastination, as witnessed by the numerous “organized piles” on my desk. I loved your last book, Taming the To Do List, which helped me create a great system to tackle these piles. The system works, but only when I choose to sit down at my desk and make it happen. Instead, I find many excuses to “stay busy” away from these piles and they haunt me like a persistent itch. I’m really looking forward to your Godly wisdom on tackling this problem. Thanks in advance!
Thanks for this reminder!
Thanks so much, this is EXACTLY what I am working on, can”t wait for the book!!!
Boundaries is such a weak spot for me,
it isn’t until my plate is overflowing that I realize it’s too much.
Praying to recognizing importance and release busyness.
Thank you so much for the lessons you teach. They are a blessing and inspiration I.
This devotional came at such a perfect time for me…but isn’t that just like God?! I struggle with “producing,” always trying to accomplish something whether it be at home or work or with my church. I often feel the need to rest but struggle to create enough white space in my life for it. Now that I’m pregnant with our third child my body is forcing me to eliminate the unnecessary busy and be more intentional. I am looking forward to reading this book!!
Glynise, thank you for your wisdom regarding our time. This is exactly what God has been teaching me this season. How timely to have it reinforced by your article.
So much of what you write resonates with me.
Blessings,
Anita
My life IS CRAZY!! I would love to learn to do it better! Looks like a great book and I look forward to reading it. Thanks, Glynnis, for speaking to our life issues.
I really can’t wait to read this book! I’m so burnt out from a job that makes me pick it over my family and myself all the time, to taking my son to his games and practices, to chosing work and family over taking care of myself. They only quiet time I have to set a part for spending time with the Lord is at 5:30am, but I’m usually so exhausted I can barely keep my eyes open. I need guidance for sure! Looking forward to your insight!
Hopeful insight during the season of my life when I feel like I am drowning in busying.
I am looking forward to reading more…
I don’t have kids but with a busy job and an ailing husband I really need to find balance in my life. Thank you
Yes yes, please share insight. Eager to read
This was so good, why have i never tthought to examine my life and schedule…we all need white space its so simple and obvious that i missed lol thanks Glynnis for sharing wisdom from your chaos so that we may have peace
Once again God is tapping me on the shoulder to say “Hey, this is for you”. Thank you for a well-timed message that really struck home.
I really needed this devotional and blog post! I hope to win your book!
I am anxious to read your new book. I so need more balance in my life, between working full time, parenting a 6 yr old non stop full of energy boy, Shuffling my son from summer camp to swim lessons every day, being a wife to a husband that travels a few times a month and keeping him on track, taking care of 3 dogs as well as all the normal duties of running a household it just never ends. Whew! I would love to win this book.
Yes, Yes, Yes, this Totally speaks to me and my 4 boys and 2 part time fosters. <3
Thank you for writing about this I have been struggling with priorities and what God is leading us to do, but it can be so hard to hear above the clamor of our daily lives, I look forward to previewing your book, God Bless. XO
I have always been a busy, busy person. I am still learning to schedule what is most important. I am trying to let go of my possessions that steal my time and that I no longer need or use. It is fun to bless others with the items I no longer need. I have a long way to go.
Thank you so much for this blog today! I am right now in between busy seasons as I am off for the summer with my kids. Thank you for helping me reorganize my priorities!
Such a beautiful reminder to us all. Thank you for your wisdom and sharing your heart and words.
Thanks for giving us this opportunity to win.bullet point #1hit home the hardest for me
Thanks for sharing this wisdom!
Thank you for your blog and this article, Glynnis
Actually I have an opposite problem… I know right now I need GOBS of downtime. And I decided I won’t let guilt force me to be anywhere other than where I am in healing from a destructive relationship with my ex-fiancee.
His refusal to get help with a mental illness does not mean God put me in his life to “fix” him. I struggled with this for over a year and a half after I left the relationship.
Now I wait on God the best I can for Him to guide him…and me.
I make no commitments for my time other than work and taking care of myself and our son. I never prayed about entering the relationship before I made the leap, but even so, He has been faithful to bring me through some very dark times.
In all of my sinful ways, He still has NEVER abandoned me. I pray He will allow me to use this experience to help someone else in the future. And that He’ll guide him to seek help and accept Jesus Christ as his Savior.
Right now I feel I have nothing extra to give. Zilch. I’m thrilled to no longer feel guilty for it. God is good and patient with us! Who am I to be impatient with myself? Praise Him!
This perfectly summarizes what my husband and I were brainstorming this week–how to make sure the important is getting done when the urgent is so overwhelming!
Thank you for the great post and for the chance to win your book.
This is my life right now with a 15, 13 and 10 year old. Hoping to be able to slow down and breathe this summer and actually enjoy my family!
THANK YOU FOR THIS BOOK! VERY TIMELY!
#2 really hit home for me…I know my life requires some editing. Now I must find the courage to cut out some things I enjoy, but hopefully will insert the things God intends for my life.
Blessings!
(I sat in one of your sessions at She Speaks in 2016…enjoyed all that you had to share!)
Add me to the list of those who could use this book!!!
Thank you so much for your uplifting words!
I so need your book – at this time I am taking care of my youngest son (9) who has JIA, Autism and EOE – plus other things wrong. In addition to all that I have my daughter expecting her 3rd child and my older son having major health issues. If that was not enough I have my elderly parents who are like my juvenile delinquent children LOL, a sister with down syndrome still at home (she is 55) and an elderly aunt who is 81. I have a lot on my plate in addition to my own health issues and I stay busy – so yes I could do Busy Better so much.
Oh how this hits home. Thank you Lord for putting Glynnis’ devo on P31 today. Burnout is setting in and I feel the strain on the relationships in my family. Wake up!
This very practical message gave me the incentive to edit and restore me to a more balanced day. I hope this extends to the rest of my life as I look to the Lord for wisdom and keep my priorities in mind. Your book must be a treasure trove of ideas to help me in the way I use my time and energy. Thanks for a peek at what is in store for me when I read your new book.
We’ve been living in fire-fighting mode for quite some time. I’m painfully aware of it, but not sure how to stop. I look forward to reading your new book for insight and wisdom.
I can be the Queen of Busy–not just to be busy, but because my work and side projects provide a lot of busyness. Always looking for ways to find balance, cull out, and do a better job of deciding what I take on. Thank you so much.
I work as an Executive Assistant so my life is all about scheduling. I’ve been in a season of scheduling as much as I possibly can into my days. I used to feel a sense of accomplishment from my packed schedule- now I feel drained. How I spend my time is a topic God has continually brought to my attention. To come across your devotion today on Proverbs 31 and then your blog here is another nudge! I’d love to win a copy of your book.
I could not agree more, Glynnis. I love your advice, thank you. You know what, though? When I actually have time / breathing room, I feel lazy! Can you believe that? I bet you can if you’re anything like me. So, I’m a work in progress and have to override those thoughts and feelings. To take time to breathe is a good thing and thank you for reaffirming that! Many blessings to you and yours.
“I often find myself holding on to something from a past season, when God wants me to open my hands to receive what’s new in this season.” I’ve been there and too many times am there. Thank you, Glynnis, for the reminder to seek God for the season I’m in.
Busyness is a battle I fight daily. I am a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries & “Busyness” is my topic. I look forward to your new book! God knows that you wrote it for me :-)!
Thank you for your powerful message. Boundaries and Margin are so important. God wants those for us, but we often do not learn that. This is an important area for me, and work is needed. I look forward to your new book. I would be delighted to win a copy.
Thank you,
The scheduling a bubble bath sounds really funny at first, but with the “hustle and bustle” of everyday tasks it makes a lot of sense!
This will definitely be added to my “must read” list of books you have written… My problem is rather odd. I always seem to be somewhat busy, but rarely get anything accomplished.
I once read that B.U.S.Y> was an acronym for Being Under Satan’s Yoke. That has always stuck with me and I do think it’s one of the enemy’s most effective weapons against today’s Christians in America. Thank you for speaking truth about the need for margin in our lives. Your three tips in today’s blog post are particularly helpful! Excellent tools for me to assess and reassess what I’m doing and shouldn’t be. Thank you and God bless you!
Wisdom and knowledge that my soul needed and still needs to hear. Thank you for your wise words and they couldn’t have come at a better time. May your day be filled with joy!
Smiles, Robin 🙂
Thank you for posting this! It’s hard for me to figure out how to make margins and keep boundaries that I set. Maybe including God in the process is the part I’m missing! It seems obvious, yet I don’t do it. Trying to do all the things by myself is easier, and the first thing that pops into my mind, but that doesn’t make it better. Thanks for the reminder of how important boundaries are! <3
Really enjoyed your devotional. I think the Lord knew I needed this today. I know I will enjoy reading your book.
Dear Glynnis, your post on 31 proverbs and your blog are extremely timely for me. I am married to a very traditional guy with three children who are active in sports and two years ago I took a new job. I thought it was meant to be and my husband was encouraging and the one to have first noticed the job. Our goal was to move closer so I didn’t have a 1.5 hour drive everyday to and then from work. Unfortunately the move was haulted when I learned that the business was 500,000 on debt with a budget heading toward millions in the red. Your insight is such an important reminder that we all live through trying seasons and my challenge is to find the joy in my current situation rather then focus on the disappointment I have with my husband for not stepping up to my plate of expectations for him. And to not feel guilty with all the things on my to do list that I am just not getting. Thank you!!!
A “heart-felt” thank you for the empowering words of wisdom. For the better part of my life I have always taken care of my family before any thought of what I wanted or needed to do. Recently I underwent a life-changing reality check (diagnosed and treated for breast cancer). Thanks to our majestic Lord and Savior I am survivor. Now, I begin each day on my knees giving thanks and praise for the blessing of his presence in my life. I walk three miles each day in which I pray, meditate, and give praise and glory for the numerous blessings! Embrace each day as the true blessing our precious, majestic Lord lovingly blesses you with!
Man does my soul ever resonate with you here! Thank you so much for writing on this subject! We so neglect our soul rest in the name of ________!! I’d love to read this book!
Dear Mary. I am so amazed at how it takes us to be so sick before we take time for ourselves. I often think there are givers and takers in his world and us givers really need to heed Gods words of wisdom fornwengicenso much of ourselves there nothing left but anger resentment and illness I pray your fight against cancer renews your soul and sets you on a path of eternal peace and joy!!
God bless you and your family!!!
I needed this
Thanks for the encouragement. I look forward to your book!
Oh my goodness did this resonate with me today. My day was scheduled down to the minute and when one thing took three times longer than planned due to something totally out of my control, the rest of the day was wrecked. I am just now eating dinner at 9:45 at night and reading your blog and devotional. Margin – that is definitely what I need. I love your practical ideas and hope to be able to take hold of my life rather than have it spin out of control before my eyes! Thank you!!
I’m reading this as I sit in a bubble bath – much needed after a really long day! Looking forward to reading your new book and creating more margin and boundaries in my life for those people that really matter!
Thanks Glynnis. I think you’ve been reading my mail. My life is in fire-fighter mode putting out fires instead of being in charge and having margin to deal with life more excellently. I’m ecstatic to speed read your book. Help
God is Good!!
I was really convicted by the truth to not just look at your calendar space but your heart space to see if taking something on would be a wise move or not. I am gonna keep this blog as a reminder on my desk of building margin into life is a must!!! Even if I don’t win this book I am definitely planning on buying it.
It’s SO important to leave margin in your schedule. Things un-planned always happen!
Put your big rocks in first !!!!
Thank you for the reminder! It can be hard to set healthy boundaries! But so necessary!
I really think this a book I need to read working 2 jobs and raising 3 kids by myself. There are no boundaries just rush rush rush.
Earlier in my career and married life, I was truly driven. I got recognized for my efforts so I kept going and going for years, working later and later each day. There’s always one more task to do, one more email to send. My “busy-ness” got so ingrained that when I found myself with free time it felt foreign. I didn’t know what to do; I even felt guilty. Fast forward to today, only because of God’s grace, I have learned about margin, Sabbath, His gift where I get refocused on Him and what He has done for me. It is when I stop and experience this white space that my heart is fuller.
Your posts and book are meaningful; I wish I had these to learn from sooner in my life. Prayers that they are a blessing to those who need to find this holy white space!
Glynnis
you are forever “getting” me without even knowing me. I love your insights. I am the person who needs to recharge after a commitment – while others I know plug right into another. I have struggled with this part of me – to see acknowledgment I am not alone gives me encouragement. Thank you.
Thank you for a really clear perspective. I think busyness is overwhelming so many women today. It’s such a juggle to have a serving heart and desire to be involved in our Christian family (and all the other worthwhile things in the world) yet still have quality family time, and connect, llisten and care well for each other in all of our relationships.
I love your point about external demands not exceeding internal reserves. It’s so easy to compare ourselves with others and feel like we should be achieving so much more – forgetting that God’s made us all with different strengths. Learning to love within OUR capacity is ground breaking freedom.
And I love the idea of white space. After multiple burn out situations and health crashes I’m slowly learning to schedule in “white” space.
The title and description of your book sounds perfect to help us reset the busyness cycle that seems unending at times. I hope it’s widely read!!
Sorry…Learning to live within our capacity is ground breaking! Though love works too.
Thank you. I really needed to read this!
I loved reading about the white space on a page and leaving margin in our lives. Very simple yet such an effective analogy. Thanks!
This is so timely for my family right now. As a busy minister’s wife, teacher and mom to a preschooler and a toddler, life get hectic! My husband and I were just talking about this very subject with our young adults in Bible Study on Wednesday. Thank you for confirming the word for the season: rest!!!
I desperately need to learn how to manage our family’s schedules better! I feel like the words I say most to our children are, “Hurry! We are going to be late!” Thanks for bringing attention to this!
I would love this book…so much wisdom just in the blog. Love the concept of white space being needed in my life…my schedule has too much print.
Thank you for writing this book! Busy is an issue I’ve been working on in my life for several years. It is an ongoing challenge and while I’ve made progress, I still need to create more white space. I’d love to read this new book! God bless you
Yes!
Thanks for the devotion and these tips. I can already see that I am headed in a similar type of season. Both of my children will be in high school now. My son is going to be in marching band and my daughter is manager for the football team. I am also a teacher and the beginning of a new school year is always busy and stressful. Your tips are great advice. I can’t wait for your book.
Thank you for your wise thoughts this morning. Looking forward to reading your book!
I would love this book as I’m trying to figure out how to do this for the fall. I can’t do another year like the one I’m just finishing.
I am in an overwhelming job, (a one person office!)but thankfully I am retiring in August. I will still need to work, but I really need to take time to find a new job that won’t be a repeat of the old. I need one with bigger margins. I am praying God will find just the right one.
This is so true, and definitely needed in our world today! Just discovered your blog from Proverbs 31 Ministries. Looking forward to your book!
I’d love to win a copy of Doing Busy Better, because I wonder where all my time goes. I get up at 5am and start my work at a plant at 7am-3pm. I never seem to get all the things done that I want to.
I seem to always struggle with finding margin in my day. I am glad I made time to read this blog post.
I’m so blessed to have read your post and thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of your new book!
Glynnis,
Your writings are so insightful. I look forward to your new book and learning how to create more margin in my life and to share with those around me!
Blessings & Thanks!,
Diana
How do I take time out for “me”? There are people who need the love of Jesus gifted to them through compassionate help. They are alone. They have no family. Their days are hampered by disabilities, poor health, poverty. Offering simple acts of kindness to someone to help ease their daily task has empowered my “me” time. Your new writings will inspire many to still follow the charted path God has placed before them. God is LOVE.
I enjoy reading your writings. You have so much knowledge & helpful ways, ways to help the everyday person like me. You don’t try to use big words that the average person can’t pronounce let alone know what it means. That goes a long ways with the average person that is trying to understand God especially if they are just becoming to know Him. I appreciate the opportunity to win one of your books. I would sure like to be the lucky winner. The funny thing is I say quite often, “I don’t know how I had time to work!” It seems like I have no time because I am not as organized & sometimes I over obligate myself. You know the saying, “If you want something done get a busy person to do it” or “you’re not working now, you don’t have anything else to do, right?” I definitely need to set some boundaries, but I also need some help to do that. I’m not so good at that. Please help.
This was really encouraging for me as a single mom that also takes care of my disabled mom. I’ve always been able to do things on a whim and now I struggle with setting boundaries for myself and my life and it affects my daughter and my mom but especially me. I’m drained most of the time and don’t set time for myself but thankfully now I know that it is possible and doable I just have to figure out HOW! Looking forward to checking out the book!
I would love to read a copy of this book. I could really use some insights on how to balance life in a way that pleases Christ.
This is such a great post and one that I always need to hear. I am such a perfectionist and pour everything into my days at the hospital (I’m an RN). I need a whole day to unwind and recharge and if I don’t get it, I am dragging the rest of the week and I don’t get much accomplished. I am looking forward to this book.
Thanks for sharing from your heart and your gifting. Setting boundaries has always been my biggest challenge as we are pressured to do ‘more and better’ every day – especially as confident & capable women. This is a welcome reminder to breathe, set more white space in my life and that boundaries are healthy (not a sign of weakness). It is especially needed since I’m a working single mom of two teenagers who tends to say ‘yes’ to too many volunteer activities too! Look forward to your book and blog.
I would so love this book. I need to learn to slow down. Thanks for yr wise words
Thanks so much! There is a great joy in peace when we allow God to set our schedules and priorities!
Yes, margin is super important, and I never have it, thank you for considering me for the book, I have a friend who is moving in with me(due to unfortunate circumstances) and I think we would both benefit going thru this together
I just started “Taming The To-Do List” and I am loving it. I would love to read your next book. Thank you for using your God-given talents to help me.
Looking to learn to do busy better. With taking care of two households…. my parents home with a mom with Alzheimer’s and my home, I need some wisdom.
I always like your devotionals! I raised for daughters and volleyball season was always overwhelming! Great thoughts on how to balance life better. Thanks!
I think I SERIOUSLY could use this book! Looking forward to the release!
Thanks for this message. I definitely need to work on doing busy better.
Thank you for your words, good reminders of boundary setting for me. I’m in a season of re-prioritising my commitments and feeling anxious. Your book will be a welcome resource.
Wow. Thanks for sharing. Our church is (and has been) teaching on this topic. I know God is shifting the area of margin in my life as well. I would love to read your book.
This was fantastic! I got so much out of this. Thanks!
I think this book is just what I need. Some practical advice and wisdom on how to do a better job with the people I love most!