TIMEOUT!

I think all of us can get in seasons of life where we are going nonstop! Somedays its as if I hear the gun-shot, "READY, SET, BOOM!" And I am off to the daily races: breakfast, get dressed, hope I have enough time to shower that day, child dressed, hope she brushed her teeth cause I don't have time, let the dog out, feed the cat, view the dishes that I chose not to clean the night before, permission slips, books orders, emails, lunch, drop offs, clean the house like a mad woman, throw some laundry in & try to remember to put it in the dryer so the clothes don't stink!, meetings, people to call, email, forget sending a card in the mail, just text!, groceries, what's for dinner, bed times, baths, ironing, & then of course hubby wants some 'cuddle time' & somehow in that day I need to make time to spend some quiet time. I don't know about you but some days I just feel like I have nothing left at the end of the day.

 Infact life was getting so out of control, yesterday at 7am when my gunshot went off, I decided I couldn't do it. I called everyone I was suppose to see & meet with, canceled Karly's lessons & decided that I was going to take a time out.

Sometimes my daughter can be in the worst mood, having a bad attitude or throwing a fit so I send her to her room for 4 minutes & it is amazing how in the 4 minutes something clicks and she comes out a different kid, happy & ready to play. I was in that mode, stressed, throwing a fit, discouraged and taking it out on everyone.

I have found that there are 2 kinds of people in this world; ones who are energized by being around others, and ones who are drained by being around others. I am the second, incase you didn't know. For me to energize I need time alone, the complete opposite of my husband. We are constantly trying to find the right balance. I love people & love my friends but I also have to have me time. Needless to say we had been going nonstop & I was running out of fumes. I had no more words left in me. So yesterday Karly & I stayed in our Pj's all day, played games, snuggled on the couch... it was the best day. My favorite was when I told Karly that we were staying home all day she went screaming WOOOHOOO! through the entire house. She is my little homebody & I forget that she needs time to refresh too. A much needed timeout from life. Too often to we caught up in busyness & we forget to take timeouts. I want to have time in my day to take a timeout with my kids, to hear about their days. I want to have timeout with my husband to reconnect, timeout with my friends so that I can be the friend they need me to be. I don't want to be so rushed & busy that I can't stop for the things that matter most.

One day Jesus took a timeout for a man named Zaccheaus. His timeout redirected His entire day. Instead of being with the crowd, he took a timeout to have tea with a sinner. Oh I love this about Jesus!

Its not always convenient to take a time out, but it is necessary! So before that gunshot blast off again tomorrow morning, take a timeout sometime today, take it alone, take it with your child, take it with your husband, or your best friend, or your mother, just take time to stop the busyness & remember what is really important in your life. The laundry will be there tomorrow, I promise!