It Happens Every Year

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)

Busier than Christmas! That’s how I describe this season each year in our household!

Spring 2011: Baseball and/or t-ball to fill our weeknights and weekends, dance recital, preschool graduation, school music program (my son played Elvis!), honor roll ceremony, awards day for 5th grade, awards day for 8th grade…not to mention that our family averages a major celebration per week from the end of May through the middle of July!

Let’s see, there is my mother’s birthday, my son’s birthday, my other son’s birthday, Father’s Day, my daughter’s birthday, the 4th of July, my husband’s birthday…oh, and at some point I need to pack for the beach!

At least sometime at the end of all these activities, I get to go on vacation! Believe me, I’m already counting down the days. :)

If I sound frazzled, maybe it’s because I am!

Interestingly, a friend invited me to attend a local Bible study at her church. You may have heard of the Frazzled Female by Cindi Wood. So far it’s been a fantastic study for this season.

In fact, the very morning after we began the study, I was so frazzled that I had convinced myself I had either lost my billfold or someone had stolen it out of my purse! I was shopping in one of my favorite bargain clothing stores and had found lots of great stuff. However, when I reached for my billfold to whip out my plastic card, it wasn’t there!

Almost in tears, I began to frantically search for it. It wasn’t in my car. I called a friend who works at the school that my son attends to see if perhaps someone had turned it into the office. (I had been there that morning for a school program and thought it may have fallen out when I grabbed my camera out of my purse.) I was desperate and attempting to retrace my steps!

Nope. It wasn’t there.

I drove home as fast as I could without causing danger to myself or others on the highway. Praying all the way…I had come to terms that if I had to cancel all my credit cards, etc. then at least my family was healthy and we hadn’t lost everything like many families in Joplin and other towns that have been affected by recent tornadoes.

This was something that could be replaced. I knew I needed to count my blessings.

As I opened my kitchen door and unarmed the alarm system, I spotted the Vera Bradley pattern on the island blending in with all the clutter! “Thank You, JESUS!!!” I breathed with relief!

Of course, then I remembered that I had checked to see if I had change for lunch money earlier that morning for my son. When I didn’t have enough ones, I had laid it on the counter rather than putting it back in my purse where it belonged. Duh!

Being frazzled and stressed is something I certainly struggle with this time each year.

Over and over the past week or so, I keep hearing the same message, both through the Frazzled Female study and my Jesus Calling devotional by Sarah Young.

Carving time out of my day, preferably first thing in the morning, to sit with Jesus is essential to keeping my sanity and finding His peace. Inviting Him to be a part of whatever activity I’m doing as I go throughout my day is a way to experience quality time with Him. For instance, yesterday morning I was very aware of His presence as I completed the simple task of watering my flowers.

Another suggestion that Cindi Wood makes in her Frazzled Female study is to take a “Weekend Mini-Retreat” with God. (You don’t have to go anywhere and it doesn’t have to necessarily be over the weekend.) The point is to take some special time to get away from all the distractions and just be with Jesus. Maybe a little extra Bible reading, talk to God in prayer, and just be still and listen as He speaks through His Word, through nature, or to your heart.

Summer is a time for vacations, relaxing, and recharging.

Could this “frazzled female” really work on becoming defrazzled by meeting God first every day and spending some quality time with Him? After all, that’s what He desires most from me, and from you.

So I’m spending my summer with the God of the Universe, basking in His presence and His creation, and hanging out with the people I love, the first ministry to which He has called me – my family!

What about you? How do you plan to spend your summer?

What is your busiest season and what are some ways you defrazzle?

Lord, I pray that you help me to always seek You first, especially in my busiest and most stressful seasons of life. Often it is easier to skip my quiet times in the midst of the chaos, but help me to remember that is when I need You the most. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for loving me so much that you desire to spend intimate time with me. I love You.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,) and all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:33 (HCSB)