Finding a Balance

   I think everyone of us can relate to this title. It doesn't matter what stage you are in or what job you have or how big or small your family, each of us has to find balance. Now what that balance consists of is as different as each of the individuals that we are. My balance is between God, my husband, my sons, exercise, friends, extended family, my church, BSF and probably a few more that my rattled brain can't even recall at the moment. In Sunday School this morning though, my brain was yet again jolted by a verse from God's word.
   ^"Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Peter 2:11-12) 
   This verse just adds to all my crazy thoughts on balance, because I was reminded that to look at the big, big picture which is finding a balance between God's commands and the desires of this world. In my BSF notes last week it said, "Which is more important to you - concentration on Jesus Christ or the strong appeal of current thought, friends' opinion, and the framing of your image before the world?"If we are honest, every single one of us struggles with this in some way. Yet each day, we must get up and continue to step out and function in this world that is getting more "entitled" with every rotation it makes.
   When Davis' child life specialist came this past week, she reiterated to me, yet again, that in her opinion, most of his behavior issues stem from anxiety. That is a very hard pill to swallow but definitely a blessing that it is something that we can work on. Over the past couple of years, some things that have gone on have left me very anxious and it really does show in my day to day. My sweet mama describes me sometimes as a "cat on a hot tin roof" and apparently it is rubbing off on my little man. So many people belittle stay at home moms and for my performance driven, achievement oriented personality, I find this an extremely difficult thing to deal with. I am left in a state of feeling I have to prove myself rather than reveling in the joy of being able to do the one thing I've always dreamed of doing. Another factor weighing me down is just that, weight! I am one food loving lady and I was never a very thin person until I had children and was finally able to reach a higher level of fitness. I am finding it extremely difficult to maintain this level and again, for my personality, that means FAILURE! There's that dreaded F word again! Also, parenting is quite possibly the most humbling experience on the planet Earth. I sometimes feel so lost on what to do and find myself literally begging God to come down just for a second to tell me how to handle whatever crazy situation I may be refereeing at the moment. I know He is the only one I can turn to but boy do I wish He was here some days. :) I am praying that over the next few months, God will help me to find a better balance; to feel more rested, less stressed, sit still and read His word more and feel no guilt over all the other countless things I could be doing. BSF continues to be one of the most amazing spiritual experiences of my life. Each week a new truth is revealed and I am able to further examine my life according to God's purpose. This week's notes said, "God's intent is for us to rest from anything that distracts us from Christ and His work."
Wow, now that is something to think on this week!!

We picked out our Christmas tree yesterday, so hopefully we will get it decorated tonight. Can't wait. I absolutely love this time of year, to focus on the gift we have been given freely in Jesus Christ and to Take the tome to show those we love just how special they are to us.

"By an attitude of gratitude, stress is turned to rest."