Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

You know that life has just gotten too overwhelming when you are HAPPY about a sick day just so that you can stay in bed. Well, I had that kind of day last Wednesday. It turned out to be quite a bit more of a turning point than I thought, though, so I wanted to share.

In mid-freakout early last week, my husband followed my wild-eyed, yappin' self into the bedroom for a little couple time. Don't worry, you can keep reading. It wasn't that kind of time! My sweetie layed on the bed with me as I cried about not having enough time, and he began to list all my commitments. "You forgot some," I sniffled, and I listed a few more. At that point, after staring at me meaninfully for a minute, he said, "You would never let our kids live this way."

There really wasn't anything that would have stopped me in my tracks quite like that statement did. Over the years Barry and I have fought the good fight to keep our kids' activities in check and our family time priority. I think it's so important for kids to have time to work and play and dream at home as well as pursuing interests outside of home. Anyway, Barry's reminder that I had personally fallen far away from that set of values about time made me take a deep breath and consider--and pray.

On Wednesday, I called Janet, the editor of our local newspaper, from my sick bed. I was sick but happy, because I had decided to quit my job as correspondant for the newspaper. It was the funniest call. I explained to Janet that although I continued to love writing for the paper that I had too many balls in the air and that I was going to have to quit. After encouraging me about my writing (which meant the world to me!), she told me that she had been trying to figure out how to call me. Her budget for correspondants had been cut.... It was a God-thing! He allowed me to quit before my job was cut, AND I feel so happy to have a little more time in my life back. Yeah!!!!!!

I've learned a couple of lessons from my week:

• God speaks through my husband. Actually I've known this, but I was too busy to remember. Even as I prayed before I called to quit, God reassured my heart about my husband's leadership. Barry had suggested that I pray about ending my job at the paper, and then he just let that thought simmer for a few days. He's such a wise man, and I'm thankful for him.
• God's timing is perfect. I really believe that He provided the job with the paper initially. He gave me the grand opportunity for a time, and then He moved me on. I believe that He has something else in mind for my time, and I'm still waiting on that. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the time to clean out a few closets and to catch up at home.
• God wants me to glorify Him and work for Him in every job. My real "paying gig" with New Neighbor Welcome is truly a blessing. I've been breaking my neck to feel like I'm not neglecting it, and I still feel like I need to give it more. I'm thankful to have the time to give that job what it deserves.

I was purely giddy on Friday as I took the whole day to clean my house. It hasn't been clean from top to bottom in months. It only lasted until the kids walked in, but now we're enjoying a weekend as a family--working, playing and dreaming. I'm just glad to be hangin' with the boys!