When I stumbled into my daughter Angel’s home, I was exhausted in body, mind, and soul. In the past I said I was never going to allow myself to get in this state again – but I did. It took three weeks of eating, sleeping, and reading mysteries for me to feel rested and restored.   

There are so many things that need to be done for my church, the organizations I belong to, and my family, but the laborers are few (especially skilled laborers). So, I found myself working eight-to-ten-hour days from week to week with no break in between. It was good work, necessary work; and I had the skills to do it. It was gratifying to be a blessing to others and to see positive things getting done.   

William McDowell’s song, I Give Myself Away expresses my feelings about the gifts and abilities God has given to me. Some of the lyrics are:

Take my heart
Take my life
As a living sacrifice
All my dreams all my plans
Lord I place them in your hands

I give myself away (I give myself away)
I give myself away
So You can use me
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me

The problem was I was so busy giving myself away to people, I was not consulting God day-to-day about His schedule or plans for me. Once I was rested, I heard Him say to routinely take days to eat, sleep, and read mysteries. Once I was refreshed, I heard Him say it is okay to say “no” or at least “later.” Once I was replenished, I heard Him say to daily schedule a few minutes to hear His voice, his direction, and His guidance for my things-to-do-list.

God has called me to a balanced life – again. My answer is, “Yes, Lord.” I give myself away to Him and He will give me to whom He pleases. I am confident I will be a balanced person because He is a balanced God.   “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long” (Psalm 25:4-5, ESV).

 Have you ever struggled with balance in your life? What was the cause of your imbalance?  How did you handle it? #Join the conversation.