Ever hear the old saying "running around like a chicken with its head cut off"? The expression harks back to the days when many folks kept chickens, both for eggs and for meat. Beheading is a quick way to kill a chicken, but after the chicken's head is cut off, its body may still "run around" for a minute or so, moving frantically, until finally the body drops dead. Sound familiar?
I think sometimes this describes the life of the busy wife and mother, especially one who wants to serve God and take good care of her husband and children and live on a budget and keep her house clean and make her home an inviting, beautiful space and be a good friend and serve her community and . . . produce a good blog. There are so many "ands" in that sentence. So many things we want to do, and only 24 hours in a day.
Today I share with you some wisdom that I've read many times before, but it speaks to me anew this morning. I needed to read it again. Perhaps you need it, too.
Much of our acceptance of multitudes of obligations is due to our inability to say No. We calculated that the task had to be done, and we saw no one ready to undertake it. We calculated the need, and then calculated our time, and decided maybe we could squeeze it in somewhere. But the decision was a heady decision, not made within the sanctuary of the soul. When we say Yes or No to calls for service on the basis of heady decisions, we have to give reasons, to ourselves and to others. But when we say Yes or No to calls on the basis of inner guidance and whispered promptings of encouragement from the Center of our life, or in the basis of a lack of any inward "rising" of that Life to encourage us in the call, we have no reason to give, except one--the will of God as we discern it. Then we have begun to live in guidance. And I find He never guides us into an intolerable scramble of panting feverishness. . . .
Life from the Center is a life of unhurried peace and power. It is simple. It is serene. It is amazing. It is triumphant. It is radiant. It takes no time, but it occupies all our time. And it makes our life programs new and overcoming. We need not get frantic. He is at the helm.
Thomas Kelly, A Testament of Devotion
Love and peace and grace to you,
I love that quote. Thank you. I needed to read it today. :)
ReplyDeleteSo very, very true. I've learned to say "no" to a lot of things in the past year. A wife and mother can only do so many things. A good reminder. :)
ReplyDeleteI have been saying "no" to so much!! New for me, for sure. Some of the things have been awesome, wonderful, even approved of by my hubby... God didn't say "no"... but I really felt that I should. And it has been good... simpler and more relaxing. Life with room in it. Blessings!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Richella,
ReplyDeleteI do read your blog, but sometimes it's hard to comprehend when you write about living on a budget. My husband has been laid off three times in the last year with 8 of those being totally unemployed. We have four sons and they don't get to go to private school or Duke Univ. and have no hope for college. Your home is beautiful and when I live in a 1300 sf home and am lucky to have it at this point and your home is 1.5 mil, it's hard to follow your blog. I am encouraged by your faith, but please remember that not all of us are as blessed in NC as you.
God bless you, my anonymous friend. While my home is not 1.5 mil, it is a nice house, and I'm very thankful for it. But I have lived in all kinds of circumstances, so I know at least some of what you are feeling. I guess what can unite our spirits is not where we are materially at this moment, but where we are in terms of walking by faith. I pray that you are enjoying all kinds of blessings right now even as you might struggle financially. I feel very honored that you read my blog, and I thank you for it.
ReplyDeleteWow that was so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI really need this as I am in a transition in my life!
(I love how the t's in your posts look like crosses.. I never noticed that before!)
I have an award for you over at my blog
Many Blessings
Patricia
OOOoooohhhh, goooood post! : )
ReplyDelete"He never guides us into an intolerable scramble of panting feverishness. . . . "
Wow.
Hi Richella,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through another NC blog and will be moving to your area next month. I would love to attend your church but I can't click on your email. Can you let me know the details or your email?
Thanks!
lise
Wonderful and inspiring post. Definitely words I need to hear, pretty much all the time. Lol. For me, it's not about being a mother and wife. I'm neither married nor have children. But it's about saying "no" to my parents or other family members or friends. But mostly the first two.
ReplyDeleteLise,
ReplyDeleteYou can email me at richellap (at) gmail (dot) com. I'm not sure why you weren't able to click on my email.
Hi, Richella! Just found your blog, and SO enjoyed this post! It's so true... and many times our saying YES is out of some need for affirmation or praise from (wo)man. I pray that I seek affirmation from God in His word, and let others receive the blessing of doing this thing or that thing. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete