The Search for Margin: Part One

You know that thing where you say you’re going to do something and you’re all geared up to try, and then life happens? Yeah, I’m there.

I wanted to post yesterday and start a conversation about how we can find more margin during these not so footloose and fancy free summer days. I even had a great encouraging post to link you to, and funny stories to share about our weekend.

So…..that didn’t happen.

What happened instead was that I got up early to write and finished my monthly column for the paper. Then Monday started and it was a classic bookend for two weeks of busyness and a non-stop weekend. In other words, it was awful. There was a lot of yelling and a lot of crying (actually I started that on Sunday) and a lot of anger and frustration. There was a lot of fighting and whining and irritation. There were still a lot of errands and commitments and chores.

There was not a lot of grace because I was just too overwhelmed to give it.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

whose trust is the Lord.

He is like a tree planted by water,

that sends out its roots by the stream,

and does not fear when heat comes,

for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious in the year of drought,

for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ESV)

Maybe yesterday my roots were dry. But maybe not. Maybe instead I’ve been like my poor yellowing tomato plants in our backyard garden and there’s just simply been too. much. rain. So much in fact that I haven’t been able to pause and soak in what I really need.

Is it really possible to have too much good? It seems so for the plants; too much rain is as detrimental to their growth as too little. So, perhaps, this seems so for me as well.

I need a period after the good to pause and rest and drink it up. To let what was thirsty in me become saturated, so I am ready to start again. But lately, we’ve been so full of one good thing to the next with no pauses in between that there’s been no time for that soaking in to occur.

And the result wasn’t pretty.

Today I invite you to pause with me. To clear some activity, no matter how good, off your schedule so you can rest and soak in His grace.

Because only then can you pour it back on those who need it most.

I’d love to hear from you about how you find more white space in your daily routines this summer. Leave a comment or link me back to your site. It encourages me so to know I’m not alone. I’ll be posting about this topic every Monday (or Tuesday) for the remainder of the summer. Subscribe by email so you don’t miss it!