When life is full and you don’t know how to slow down, eventually you will break. If you were to ask me how I know I would tell you it’s because that’s a road I’ve been down more times than I can count. Somehow in my mind I think I can take on the world, that I can run a lifelong race without any breaks or help along the way. While my mind thinks these things, in my heart I know that it’s not true. Sure, I’ve proven that I can do a lot (more than I should) for a very long time, but eventually it all catches up. The lost hours of sleep, the limited time with my little blessings, the missing date nights in with my hubby, and much more all are lost along the way.
While beginning to let go of my OCD OTT planner nature was scary, it was also very freeing. There have been days that I worked, wrote and planned till I couldn’t even think straight. There were also times that I longed to just sit back and watch a movie without worrying about what social media I hadn’t tackled that day or what blog post I needed to write next. I started the year with reading through Jane Austen’s complete collection and since then I’ve missed reading again. I actually picked up a set of books and a couple movies at the library FOR MYSELF last week! I can’t remember the last time I did that!
I love my life and I love it being full, BUT it needs to be full of the RIGHT THINGS… Time in God’s word…dates with my hubby…movie and game nights with my kids… those are at the top of my priority list and though I will still fail, I’m trying to let go of my strict schedule so I can enjoy each day that I receive as a blessing from God and ensure it’s full, but balanced.
I want to write when I have something to say from my heart, not just come up with a topic that I’m sure someone else has already blogged about. This is my corner, to share my heart and hopefully encourage someone along the way. I am not the only one that has struggled with feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or lonely. Nor am I the only Christian woman that has been divorced, a single mom or faced with adultery. These subjects all are a part of me, who I am and will somehow define who I will be in the future too. They are part of my story and it is because I’m this side of them that I write about them, to help other women know that they are not alone, they aren’t unloveable or unwanted and allow them to see that there is joy to be had after the pain, that life truly can go on filled with beauty. In order for me to be able to write about the hard topics from my heart, I can’t plan the posts out, if I were too it would lose the passion and importance.
I’m anxious to see where God takes me through this process of letting go, how far will He take me and what will He do in me to make me more like Him? I’m nervous because I know I like to be in control (which is why I needed the post that I highlighted in the Salt & Light link up below) but I know without a doubt that I will not be able to do everything God has planned for me if I don’t let Him lead me. I’ve personally seen God work a miracle in my life and I don’t want to miss out on any other amazing works He has in store because I failed to yield to Him.
Are you a recovering OCD OTT planner? If so, I’d love to hear about how you ensure you’re focusing on all the right things while accomplishing what you MUST each day. Meet me in the comments please?
I’m thrilled to be teaming up with some of my favorite girls online as a new co-host to a Monday link up here at Beautiful Ashes.
More specifically, how are we as blogging mommies, wives, and women, being salt and light towards others online?
Here is your chance to generously sprinkle some salt and shine a light: a link up where you share a post that you enjoyed recently from someone else’s blog or website.
Be the Salt & the Light to the world this week and share:
- Faith in Jesus – What inspired your faith walk with Jesus
- Marriage – What touched your heart for your spouse
- Singleness – What has inspired you to reach out to God
- Mothering – What encouraged you to be the best mom you can be this week
- Health – A new recipe that you hope to bless your family with, or health tip that will benefit your family
- Service – A story of service that touched you
- Finances – A tip that will serve your family well
- Homemaking – Inspiration to make your home a haven for your husband, kids, and guests
- Time – Share a story that opened your eyes to the use of time in our life
- Beauty – A reminder of what beauty really is in a world that tries so hard to
And of course, if you have written an encouraging post you would like to add to the link up, go ahead link up a second, personal post.
Weekly Feature:
Bridget, Mandy, Marissa and I are picking our own favorites each week to feature, so make sure to check out both of our sites to see if you were featured. My favorite this week is “Being Right Isn’t Always Best” by Jenny.
Your Chance to be Salt & Light
More specifically, how are we as blogging mommies, wives, women, being salt & light towards others online?
Here is your chance to generously sprinkle some salt and shine a light: a link up where you share a post that you enjoyed recently from someone else’s blog or website.
Make sure to follow Marissa, Bridget, Misty and Mandy so you don’t miss future opportunities to be Salt & Light to others! Oh and check out Salt & Light’s pinterest board… your post might just show up there!
The fine print: Please understand that by linking up with the Salt & Light, you are agreeing to allow Rays of Grace & Joy, Beautiful Ashes, Women of Worship or Becoming a Godly Wife to feature you in a future post. That includes a link to your post, and a picture you’ve used on that post. You are also allowing Rays of Grace & Joy, Beautiful Ashes, Women of Worship or Becoming a Godly Wife to share any post you link up with pinterest, facebook, twitter and/or google+. Also, by posting in this hop, you are allowing your email address to be used for a weekly reminder of the hop – your email will not be used for any other purpose, period.
<3 100 years from now – these are the choices that will matter, and this will affect the legacy you leave! You are spot on Girlfriend! <3
Thank you sweet friend! <3
God knows all about our past – – and also about our future, and He loves us anyway. Thanks for the lovely link up you are sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
Yes, Amen! Blessings Hazel!
“I love my life and I love it being full, BUT it needs to be full of the RIGHT THINGS” Love this reminder today Misty. You are not alone in these struggles and it is a wonderful thing that you can share your heart to help others who might be dealing with these same things. Continue to bring it to the light. Great post! 🙂
Yes, it MUST be full of the RIGHT things…oh that I could daily remember what the RIGHT things are! Blessings Nicki!
Thank you for sharing your heart with us, Misty. I struggle in the same way. I’m a bit of an overachiever. Have you read the book Let.It.Go. by Karen Ehman? It helped me tremendously. I am glad you are realizing your need to let go of high expectations. We place most of them on ourselves, don’t we? Know that you aren’t alone. Thanks so much for giving us a place to shine!
I have started that book, but I have not finished it yet Heather. It is on my list of “to finish”…I have enjoyed it so far. I’m looking forward to reading “The Best Yes” in the new year too with my besties!