Super Saturday: Let's Focus on NOT Going Crazy

I don't have time to write this.

Dylan graduates tomorrow and we move a week from Tuesday.

I was feeling pretty good most of the day...

Cook a little.

Pack a little.

Go to an open house (we had three today).

Repeat all day long.

Later this afternoon, I started to hit a wall. More than a wall even. It was that slippery slope that could send me over the edge if I'm not careful.

I started to entertain thoughts like these:

I'm a terrible mother. If I were a good mother, I would have ____________. (bought more party decorations, found more cute pictures of Dylan, made Erin's and Blake's favorite meals since they're home for the weekend, etc., etc., etc.)

We've lived here almost nine years. Why haven't I ___________ before now? (gotten rid of our old homeschooling supplies, finished my craft projects, made that jean quilt, shredded our old financial records, etc., etc., etc.)

On the good side, I recognized these negative thoughts right away and chose not to dwell on them.

I've been teetering on the edge a bit, but I don't have to go over if I remind myself of some positive truths from the Bible:

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you." (Psalm 116:7 NIV)

"Cast all your anxiety on him, for he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

I had to write tonight because I need those reminders. Maybe you do, too.

Let's keep our sanity by turning quickly to God when life gets stressful and super busy. He can keep our minds in the right place as we do the best we can with whatever event we're getting ready for. 

I know Dylan's party will go fine, especially if I stay relaxed and enjoy visiting with the family and friends that come to wish him well.

I know our move will happen next week, and it will go better if I can work hard but not get upset if things don't go exactly the way I'd like. 

Getting enough sleep helps us keep our sanity, too, so I'll say good night for now and write again next Friday.

"In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves." (Psalm 127:2 NIV)

Do you have any big events coming up that threaten to drive you crazy? How can focusing on God help you to do your best and not get upset if everything isn't perfect?

Focus Friday: Let's Focus on Sleep

I've been very sleepy today.

It would have been fine if I were just bumming around at home, but today I went along with Gary while he did some visiting. After a nice Mexican meal with great friends in Hampton, we went to the hospital to visit a church member. She broke her hip last week and has to be in the hospital while it heals. As we were visiting, I felt my eyes closing a few times and when we got up to leave, Gary joked about me needing a nap. I laughed and apologized to our friend and then we went to visit another lady. She had one chair available and she said I could sit on the bed. I laughed and said I didn't know if I should. "My eyes kept shutting while we visited our other friend, if I sit on the bed I might really fall asleep," I quipped. I joined in the conversation quite a bit at first, but then I got quiet and I felt my eyes closing several times.

"I think we have to put Robyn to bed." My eyes popped open as I heard our friend's voice and I realized I had done it again. I grinned sheepishly and apologized. Good thing we have such gracious friends. They both seemed to understand.

Our next visit went better because we stood while we talked with another lady in the nursing home. Even then, I swayed a bit when we closed our eyes for prayer before we left. I slept a bit in the car on the way back to Allison and then made it through a few more visits at the nursing home with just a few sleepy moments.

I felt so embarrassed, but I really couldn't help it. I guess I could have pinched myself, or maybe tried to talk more so I could stay awake. (What a novel thought, talking while visiting with someone!)

After we got home, my mind kept coming back to my sleepiness. Was I just being rude? Do I have narcolepsy? What did our friends think when they looked over and saw me with my eyes closed? I seriously wanted to stay awake, but it didn't seem possible today.

Then I started thinking about my sleep schedule. I know I've been getting up at about 5:10 every morning. Sometimes I go over to church and exercise with a great group of women at 5:30. Other mornings I head over to volunteer some time at Allison Little Lambs, our church's daycare. I feel good about doing some great things in the early morning hours. 

My problem is I've been pushing my bedtime later and later in recent weeks. I used to go to bed closer to nine when I knew I was getting up early.  Lately it's been more like 10:30, and evidently that is not quite enough sleep for me.

I stay up because I want to get one more thing done, or finish perusing all of those fascinating facebook posts, or watch one more show on the DVR before bed. Truth is, I have plenty of time most days to get all of those things done at a decent time and get to bed earlier. I need to be more conscious of how much sleep I'm getting and how much sleep I really need. Getting enough rest will help my attitude, my productivity, and my ability to stay awake while visiting with friends.

"In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for he grants sleep to those he loves." (Psalm 127:2 NIV)

How much sleep do you get? How can focusing on God help you to get to bed at a decent time and be more productive during your waking hours?