Just Busy or Too Busy?

   Have you ever sat down and really thought about everything you do? Your responsibilities. Demands from work. Family needs. Extra activities.  And - All God requires of you. Maybe it's easiest not to think of all these things, but sometimes a little self-check is what we need in order to diagnose our problem: Too busy.

   I will admit: I am busy. Between teaching, family and church, my schedule is often packed! But am I too busy? What even constitutes as "too busy?" For me, there is a balance between busy and too busy; that balance can sometimes be tricky. I have a full-time job, that is never finished. The mass of papers I grade is like the laundry at home; it never goes away! I also have a family. Between my husband's crazy work schedule and my kid's school and church activities, we are constantly on the move. I also have God, but the question is, Does He have me? 

   It is beyond easy to get sucked in by busyness. You're just doing what you have to do, right? This is where I have to check myself, or rather, let God do the inventory for me. A few of the questions I prayerfully ask of myself:

- Am I so frustrated, that I no longer find joy in what is keeping me so busy? 

- Am I so busy that I often forget or neglect my time with God? 

- Am I ignoring the things I am passionate about?

- Am I so busy doing things that I am too exhausted to do what God has called me to do?

- Am I so busy that I cannot make time to develop and nourish relationships with family and friends?

After the God to self evaluation, I have to be honest with myself (It also never hurts to have friends who will be honest with me if I choose not be!). Am I too busy?  If "too busy" is the answer, it's time to eliminate some things and rearrange priorities. 

   What I find about myself: I am usually not "too busy" but I am definitely busy. If God is in control of my busyness - I'm good. Me in control of my busyness is destined for disaster and that "too busy" feeling. This is where balance has to be found. I don't want to ever feel so good about my seemingly hectic schedule that I take control of it! I don't ever want my schedule to have me. I want God to have me.

** I have also found busy people can make other people uncomfortable. They often want to label you as "too busy." When this happens, I just do a God to self check. I believe God has a supernatural way of expanding time and energy when we're about His business and not just our busyness!