Glorifying Busyness

Why do we claim busyness like a badge of honor? Like its a measure of our worth?

Recently I sat in a circle of a close group of friends. We had finally made our schedules’ work to squeeze in some time to cookout. As the night went on, we were just sitting around catching up, I kept noticing these ‘quiet’ moments. It wasn’t like awkward lulls in the conversation with someone you don’t know that well. These friends are like family, the ones you do (survive) life with. For the most part phones were put away and kids were playing in the yard. We were present and enjoying the company but I could feel the ‘tired’ energy everyone was carrying.

Later that night I thought “It’s not just me”. Everyone is tired. I think I have been running on burnout mode for longer than I care to admit.

“Be still and know that I am God”

– Psalm 46:10

Fast forward a few weeks… It’s a new month, we’ve been back in the swing of things. We are back in our routine. School has been back in session for a couple months. Dentist appointments – check! Eye Dr. appointments – check! We got another busy month behind us.

I flip my calendar page to this new month and see empty days! PRAISE!! I felt a huge relief, a catch your breath moment, a feeling of getting a break or lets face it a chance to catch up.

I didn’t expect what happen next.

What I didn’t expect next was to suddenly feel urgency.. My thoughts start to race with “what am I forgetting”, “we have time to add this here”, “I can say yes to that now”. I was unintentionally filling my days! BUT WHY?

We are now two weeks into the new month and again I am feeling overwhelmed by my schedule. This can’t be just me right? Why do we feel this urge to overbook ourselves? When did we start glorifying busy?

I do not say all of this to complain. I have so many blessings in my life. I love my family. We are truly blessed beyond measure. I am getting to create and write. I love my life and I think that is where these feelings stem from. I want to be a good steward of these blessings.

In a world that glorifies hustle, it’s easy to fill every square of our planner. I challenge each of us to be intentional with leaving space in our Planners, say no without guilt, and most of all replace the word “busy” with “intentional”. This is something I struggle with but it is something I will continually work to be better at. I have been blessed beyond measure so that makes me want to be intentional with my time and focus even more. I love my family and I enjoy creating and writing. I know I will fail and slide back into habits of over scheduling because of the flesh but I will continue to work toward this goal. I will continue to work toward leaving space for stillness.

Let’s stop wearing busy like a badge and start wearing peace like a promise.

If you liked this content, you may enjoy my Daily Grace Planner.