Get Busy and Rest!

I'm currently making my way through Joyce Meyer's latest devotional, Trusting God Day by Day. Today's entry was titled "Stop and Smell the Roses" and hit my heart's target this morning. This is the takeaway she ends with:

Are you in a hurry? If you want to be at peace with yourself and enjoy life, you must stop rushing all the time. Trust God to give you the grace, energy, and the time to do everything you need to do at a pace that allows you to enjoy the journey.

Okay, so I don't leave the house every day for a 9-5 job. I don't leave the house for a "job" at all. I stay home, most of the time in sweats and a sweatshirt, and am glued to my computer all day. Yes, sometimes I waste time playing dumb computer games or chatting with friends, but the truth is, in spite of those few who think I sit home, watch soaps, and eat bon-bons all day, I'm busy. When I'm not working on freelance assignments from clients, I am marketing, blogging, and trying to make some sort of headway on my next novel. On top of that, I am involved again this year in my church's Christmas musical, How Christmas Saved the Grinch, which I had the honor of co-writing. We expect more than 20,000 people to attend this year, so it's no small production. And of course, this is all in the midst of my daughter's ridiculously crazy marching band season (with trips to State and Nationals for all of us), and the ridiculously crazy holiday season. Plus, my family actually expects dinner once in a while.

I don't say all that to complain about how busy I am (well, maybe a little). I know I am no more busy than any other woman out there. My biggest question is:

IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN A BALANCE?

I really want to know...How do you find time to rest? And I'm not talking physically. I sit on my butt most of the day, but my brain is working quadruple-time. How do you shut that off? Confession: often when I sit down for my devotion and prayer time, I have to consciously refocus my brain at least eighteen times during the course of a half hour, as it veers off into a hundred different directions of everything I have to do. Not only is this frustrating, but the guilt starts piling up on top of it. Please...I can't even take a half hour to focus my attention solely on my Savior? 

What's wrong with me?

Okay...enough beating myself up. At least I know I'm not the only one who struggles with this. Right? (Please nod here.) 

As Joyce Meyer encourages, I want to enjoy the journey of life instead of letting it rush past me in a hectic blur. So today I would love some advice on what you do to slow the pace.  

Any tips to shutting off your brain for some genuine resting time? Any favorite Bible verses that especially encourage you in this area?

Oh...and if you can relate, you'll want to hop on over to my friend Holly Magnuson's blog, FAVORITE CHRISTIAN BOOKS, where she is giving away a copy of Madily in Love. If there's one "person" who knows chaos and disorder, it's Madi McCall! 

What in the world am I thinking?

Have you ever had one of those moments when you thought, "What in the world am I thinking?"

I had one of those this morning about my writing.

So I know I'm an ok writer. I've had some things published and have won a few contests. But I'll be honest. Right now, as I prepare to attend the ACFW conference, I feel way out of my league. I mean, why did I ever entertain the idea that an insecure girl like me, from a small Michigan town, could make it as an actual author? Why would anyone even want to read what I have to say? Why would an agent or editor take a chance on me? I must have my head in the clouds.

See what I mean about being insecure?

Maybe my bursts of insecurity have to do with being overwhelmed at the thought of meeting some of my favorite authors. Of thinking that I am actually attending the same conference as multi-published, award-winning novelists. Of knowing I'll be rubbing shoulders with people on the A-list. Those who know everything there is to know about the publishing industry and deal with writers every day who aren't just OK, but REALLY GREAT! Sorry, but for me, that's intimidating! I have this fear that when I open my mouth to speak, I'll start fumbling all over myself and everyone will point and laugh. And all that will be left to do is hang my head and exit as quickly and quietly as I can.

Or maybe my recent feeling of inadequacy has to do with the fact that I didn't receive "the call" by the 25th (that would be yesterday) letting me know that I finaled in the ChickLitWriters.com's Get your Stiletto in the Door contest. I entered in the inspirational category, and was so excited at the opportunity to possibly have my work put in front of agent, Kelly Mortimer, and editor Beth Adams (Guideposts). But, the inspy category was cut at the last minute because of lack of entries. I was given the choice to get my money back or have my entry transferred to another category. I chose "Chick Thrill" because my entry is a mystery. Well, I knew there would be a lot more competition in that category and that my chances had just decreased, but I wanted the feedback, and the same entry is a finalist in the ACFW Genesis contest this year, so I entered anyway. Well, the 25th is past and the finalists have been notified, so...sigh...despite the fact that I didn't expect to final, it's still disappointing.

Or maybe my insecurities have popped up due to it being almost that time of the month (a little too much honesty for you?)

But I'll get over it - maybe not until after the conference, but this feeling won't last forever.

Because despite all of my "what in the world am I thinking" moments, I know God has given me a gift to write. And I believe that I am to use that gift for His glory. I recall all of the doors he has opened and the confirmations He has placed in my path. I am convinced that I have the ability to craft a story and even to make it shine. And I am determined to do everything I can to make Him proud.

Now I only have to scrounge up the faith that when I open my mouth, I'll actually say something intelligent and the hope that nobody will really point and laugh.

Brain Clutter & Popcorn

So I'm back from vacation and now it's time to play catch-up. Unfortunately, I only have two days this week to do it, as I will be out of commission for the other three. I fill in a day at the consignment store, and my daughter's post-birthday luau is on Friday (shopping and set-up are tomorrow). So I got a little work done on Monday and I'm trying to cram more in today. No fiction for me this week. Boo-hiss.

So here's my problem (other than the work-overload thing I've got going on): I want to go to the movies.

It's no secret that going to the movies is one of my favorite things to do. But I find that when I am feeling overwhelmed and the brain clutter is too much to bear, going to the movies helps! It relaxes me and takes my mind off all my "stuff", even if it's only for two hours. And the popcorn helps, too!

Plus, when I think about it, going to the movies is actually working because watching movies provides me with a boost of creativity. I've gotten some fabulous ideas and mega-inspiration by watching a good story unfold before my eyes. In fact, I wonder if I can write them off at tax time? Hmmm...something to ask my tax guy.

Well, I may have talked myself into going. Of course, we'll see how much work I get done in the next couple hours before making my final decision.

Of course, prayer and digging into God's Word is the best way to handle stress and brain clutter. But is there one thing you find yourself wanting to do when you're feeling overwhelmed? Besides prayer, is there something that helps to take your mind off your problems and refreshes and reengergizes you so you're better able to take care of the work you have to do?

I've confessed my vice - I'd love to hear yours.

It's BAAAAACK....

Yay! My computer has been returned, safe and sound. I did a little happy dance and just pray it holds up for a while this time...at least until I finish my novel!

Yes, I learned a couple lessons along the way, one of which you can read about in my last blog. Here's another lesson I learned (incidentally, both lessons were taught by my 10 year old daughter. That's right - TEN.)

A couple days ago, I stopped by the computer store with my daughter to check on my baby (because they weren't calling me at my required regular intervals of twice per day). They explained a couple of things they thought it could be, both that would require major surgery. When my daughter and I got in the car, I started stressing.

Immediately, I said things like, "What if they don't know what they're doing?" and "What if this ends up costing us a fortune?"

Blah, blah, blah.

My daughter looked at me and said, "Mom. Stop worrying about it." She then proceeded to tell me a story she learned in church last week about faith. She wrapped up her lesson with, "You're supposed to pray, Mom - not worry."

Alrighty then.

There's nothing like a ten-year-old putting you in your place to make the lightbulb flicker a little brighter.

It turned out fine and, as I said, the surgery was successful. Even the surgery on our checkbook wasn't that bad.

LOOK IT UP: Philippians 4:6