Overcome Hurry, Insert Sabbath

I had no idea how out of whack I really was. I had worked so hard for so long and had always achieved a lot, no matter what. However, something was missing. 

Have you ever looked back and seen how one person coming into your life or reading one book made all the difference?

That was the case with me. I was always in this state of feeling hurried and rushed; there was always so much to do and I didn't have enough time. Scarcity was everywhere. I wore my business like a badge of honor. In fact, so many people do. I hear it all the time when I speak to others who, like me until August of 2016, have their health so out of whack! My journey to a healthy body changed everything and led me to improving it all. I'm still very much a work in progress though because as with anything, even if you do improve, improvement for the long term, your best self, involves changing the way you do things. It means changing your habits and your approach or you will drift back.

And so, despite finding a new way forward...I found myself still hanging on to my over-achiever-ness until just recently, even after all the progress I'd made since 2016! We are always a work in progress as long as we desire growth and are stepping forward. 

In 2018, I felt frazzled. And then, life brought me an amazing mentor by the name of Lisa. We had some really hard life challenges going on and she began "seeing" me.

She saw greatness in me; things that I didn't see. I saw her and soon figured out we had so much in common and also, she walked the walk and talked the talk in terms of seeking health. She began so show me a way of living that I desired. 

Lisa and I continued to get to know each other and she soon fell into a mentor and leadership role for me. The Lord blessed both of us with a relationship that's known as a Corner 4. (See this article for more  https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.entrepreneur.com/amphtml/275019 ). 

This type of relationship embodies the idea that iron sharpens iron. It's so important to not just find someone you desire to be like, but to also invest in them as they invest in you. 

Lisa helped me understand that I was a high achiever and what that really meant. Her guidance and resources also helped me to see that I wasn't using this gift as strength. Rather, I was living in the pitfall of this gift. She kept telling me to slow down to speed up. I really didn't know what she meant. And to be honest, it freaked me out a little bit. But over time as I settled down, it really helped me to understand what she was trying to tell me. I wasn't being present. I wasn't enjoying the moment.  I wasn't living in the fruits of the Spirit. The hurry that I was always creating, the list of things to do that I was always tackling, placing the tasks over the relationships...it was all wearing on me. When I finally figured this out and when I began pausing and unhurrying my life, so much began to change. Yes, I'm still working on it! I found this book called The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and oh my goodness, it, coupled with Lisa's mentoring and leadership have been an incredible gift for me.

I really didn't know. 

I really didn't know why rest was important.

I grew up with parents who worked very hard, and I mean no disrespect towards my parents, but I didn't learn to rest. It didn't feel like it was important. 

I had become someone who worked all the time. I could always see tasks that needed to be done and not only could I knock them out myself, but I could delegate tasks to anyone who was within distance of me giving them an order. At least that's what Dwight would tell me that I would do. 

Sigh. 

Now that I look back, I feel somewhat ashamed. But I know that we're not meant for shame, and so I'll lay it at His feet, and will focus on getting this right. 

I've surrendered my desire to get everything done, or, I guess I should say I am surrendering. It is definitely a work in progress. Lisa and this book have really taught me so very much. The most impactful chapter in the book is on Sabbath. 

Sabbath from the Hebrew word “shavat” means rest. Exodus 34:21 helps us to understand this. 

It's very hard for me to stop. 

Very hard. 

It is very hard for me to stop and rest. 

And as I say this, I'm sitting on the couch in my pajamas on a Saturday evening, with a cup of tea in-hand, hair washed, and about to watch an episode of Downton Abbey. I don't watch TV. And I really haven't slowed down in so long. But just since a few months ago, I have learned about Sabbath and I am learning how to do Sabbath. 

As I mentioned, it's not easy for this high achiever. Today, Dwight took our kiddos and went to the country. I've slowed down. I've taken a nap. I read. I got my nails done. I took a bath. 

And in a way that sounds like a list, but in reality, for me it is rest. I just don't do those things on a normal basis. And what I find when I do is I feel joy. I feel peace. I feel love. I feel kindness to myself. I feel self control. I feel gentleness. I hear God's voice. I feel like he's hugging me. I don't feel like that on most days of the week. And that's the point. And what's cool is that by learning to create this feeling, I'm able to bring moments of it into my life during the week as well. Actually, I am finding moments daily to stop and pause. It's life-giving. It evokes the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 

As I contend for this daily, I’ve recognized that when I'm hurrying to get things done, and using the gifts he gave me oh so well, I often am simply going through the motions. And if I allow that, I can become frazzled and distracted from being the person He has entrusted me to be. 

It's crazy how one day of Sabbath is helping me to insert more pauses throughout my week. It's helping me to see more joy in my week; helping me to show up better for my family. Lisa was right. Slow down to speed up. And speed up was not meant to be for growing our business faster or doing things better. Speed up meant enjoying this life by living more in the true fruits. The fruits of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. If I could encourage anything for you, it would be to find 24-hours in a week, to have Sabbath. 

I get it. 

I know it's incredibly hard and you're probably going to have to really plan and be intentional and even creative, but it is so worth it. 

And to love and serve well, I'm bold enough to tell you, it's imperative.