During my first semester of college I took 18 hours, despite the fact that the guidance counselor told me that 12 was normal.
I remember the first few days as the syllabus began to stack up feeling so in over my head. Time went on and I got into the swing of things and made it though the semester with A’s in everything except a B in Algebra. My literary skills did nothing for me when it came to those equations.
I learned more than just pre-requisites that semester. I learned that sometimes I do better when I am challenged with diversity on my plate.
Life has weaved in and out of seasons like that. Just when life starts to become manageable, usually a variable enters the mix. Initially I get totally overwhelmed by the additional responsibilities, but eventually through prayer and organizing I find a way to make it work.
I have NEVER had a normal 9-5 job.
I have NEVER had a predictable salary.
I thought there may be a bit more routine once I got married. Then I went off and married an itinerate minister.
Goodbye routine.
So long control!
Now I get the joy of not only balancing my own world, but trying to balance it with my servant-hearted people loving husband. Some days he would gladly park himself in the church coffee shop, sip Americanos, and love the people. Meanwhile his wife has got “stuff” to do! You know important things life muffins to bake, decorating to do, and laundry to hang!
So how do we make this world work?
How do we find peace and rhythm when we travel 10-20 days a month?
1. We cry. Wait, I cry. Oh wait, that’s not helpful!
Okay jokes aside… Here are a few things that help me, and hopefully “us”. 🙂
1. I remind myself that…
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)
Did you get that? It says “everything we need for a godly life.”
God has not called us to fail, He equips us to succeed. There is always a solution. The solution is not found in routines, control, or when everything falls into place.
His divine power is where we find our solutions. He inspires us and breathes on us releasing strategies for our current season. Thank you Jesus!
That being said, I will continue on with some practicals that help us. Some of which we’ve been doing for awhile, and others we are just implementing for our current season.
2. A day off!
We believe Sabbaths are crucial. This is a serious challenge when we are usually speaking at a church multiple times, 3 Sunday’s a month!
So we aim to pencil in a day off each week.
It’s key to have a day a week where you separate who you are from what you do.
3. A date night.
We can do everything together all day long, but be connecting in a bunch of roles that don’t include lovers and friends.
We have to be intentional to take off a dinner or lunch and just connect as lovers and friends. This means some pretty firm boundaries for our conversations. We try not to talk about ministry or business.
We started out as friends before we got together. We simply made each other laugh really hard, and neither of us was thinking romance initially. We just really enjoyed each other. We have to make space to cultivate this place in our relationship, where it all started for us!
It’s easy to build intimacy with a foundation of friendship.
4. Devotional time.
It’s simple, but really making the time and space for my mind to be renewed can greatly boost my ability to keep steady.
What is He saying about your relationships, your finances, your schedule?
His voice diffuses the anxiety!
Even just 15 minutes can make a significant difference.
So while I cannot control every dynamic of our ever changing life and schedule, there are a few priorities that can really help keep peace in our midst. 🙂
Blessings on your journey of allowing His divine power to give you everything you need to do today well!
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