The Thief of Busyness

Where or Who are you giving your time and WHAT can be stealing it?

I have not written in a while because I have recently won a scholarship to finish my degree in Business Management; I have started school about 40 hours a week in August and doing well, half way through the semester. I also moved my household in the middle of it creating much chaos!

However, in all my busyness, I reached out to a friend, one of my best friends, and was put off because they essentially gruffly reminded me that they are too busy working to make me a priority anymore in their life. I am not even an option, at this point. I was hurt and saddened to this reality and remembered back when I was pushing my all into ministry and my work. I too made this statement that I was just too busy working to give my time to others; they would only get my leftovers after my work, and that was only if I had any time left in the day. Having three kids, I did not have any time leftover.

I would sit and marvel at my checked off ‘to do list’ so proud of myself. All I had a great sense of accomplishment and I was proud! Woohoo! I had so many relationships, well……work relationships, all was good. So I thought.

Then, I, smiling at my success looking around the room, I realized I was all alone. My smile and excitement turned into a heavy heart as I looked around for someone to share my good news; and there was no one. I called my friends and no one answered. It was then that God dropped into my spirit this important TRUTH that I have never forgotten:

WHAT IS SUCCESS IF YOU HAVE NO ONE TO SHARE IT WITH?

My heart broke in two, I was accomplished and successful, yet alone. I did GOOD things, a lot of them. I was helping people. I was pushing toward the next goal, while I pushed my friends and family away. I had not made the people closest to me in my life a priority. I became selfish and did not even realize it. I know the order of good mental well-being, but was not living it:

God first. FAITH!

Family second. FAMILY!

Career third. WORK, this includes MINISTRY!

How many know when WORK or MINISTRY comes first, someone at home is upset? Or feels unloved?

How many know that when you have no faith and a storm of life happens, we crumble and lose hope?

There is a healthy balance and relationships are hard but worth it. All things that are hard are worth the work, because if they were easy everyone would have them. We succeed at work, yes. BUT the greater challenge is succeeding at relationships. They are the toughest things in the world because they involve another person with their own thoughts, feelings, and needs!

That is why I believe the first commandment in the Bible is to LOVE GOD, and the second is LOVE OTHERSand the rest will fall into place. SEE the order.

God first.

Family second.

Career third.

What is life about? It is about relationship, not just work acquaintances, but loving relationships.

*God made us to walk in the garden with Him, He wanted relationship.

*He made Eve, because it wasn’t good for man to be alone, relationship.

*What lasts forever? People; relationships.

Yes -work, school, and ministry are all important things, in moderation. They are nothing without the relationships behind the scenes that celebrate with us, cry with us, talk & listen to us, and most of all what every human needs, to LOVE and be loved.

Do not be so busy that you miss it. That you miss the people trying to be in your life, be a part of your life, and loving you. If you continue to push them out, they will stop trying to get back in and you will look for someone to celebrate all your victories and the room with be empty. It is hard, but I have to allow my friend to lose me and hope they see sooner than later the value of relationship. I have been in an empty room, believe me, never again will I make this mistake.

If you can master working hard AND loving well, that is true SUCCESS. Love and lead well!