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Keeping Focus August 2011 |
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We may not be chickens running around with our heads cut off, but too many of us are running lame through life and one of the main reasons is lack of
margin in our lives. Margin is the breathing space or buffer zone we create to allow for unexpected events, emergencies, or misuse of our time, energy,
and resources. It’s our shoulder along the highway of life.
Wanting practical, real-life input on this topic, I queried a few friends about this issue. One mother (Trish B.) wrote:
Which brings us back to running lame. LAME represents the difficult choices we have to make. LAME stands for Lamenting, Accepting, Masking, and Expecting. Lamenting. We all know we need margin and that we’ve done an inadequate job creating it. But there’s no point in beating ourselves up over it. Recognize it, repent, let it go, and move on. Don’t wallow in your inadequacies or human tendencies. Be still and know God is involved. Accepting. Don’t just accept every opportunity or request that comes along. Acquire an analytical attitude (like all those A’s?). Does this activity fit into your priorities? Don’t automatically do something just because everyone else is doing it. And that includes social networking, watching every popular show on TV, and being available through email or cell phone 24/7. Be still and know what God would have you accept. Masking. This is for those people who are not prone to lamenting, who don’t dwell on the problem. Instead you ignore the problem. You cannot cover up the issue, assuming that it will just go away “when things settle down.” Or when such and such happens and fixes your temporary circumstances. Perhaps your mask is that such busyness is “normal” for you; you’re a Type A personality so it’s okay. No, it’s taking a toll on your physical, emotional, spiritual, and family health, whether or not you realize it. Another common mask is blaming your husband who does not understand all that is involved in homeschooling. Or blaming it on a child’s learning style or rebellious attitude. Those are just symptoms. Unless you get to the underlying issue, nothing will change. Be still and know that God knows all and sees all. Expecting. Lack of margin often comes because we feel we have to meet the expectations of others. Perhaps family members who are not keen on homeschooling. Or church leadership who wants us involved in every church activity. Or friends and family who don’t understand how much time homeschooling requires and want us to join all sorts of outside activities. Less obvious are the expectations we place on ourselves, comparing what we are doing to other homeschooling families. Or believing we as parents must provide every opportunity for our children to explore all sorts of avenues for self-expression. We expect to do it all. Be still and know what God expects of you. Really, it boils down to this: Be still, know God. What He shows you obey, with no delay. 744 words To view more 'Keeping Focus' Articles please 'Log In' and visit the 'Achives' page. |
