In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15).
Journal entry from April 19, 2007. I’m tired, so very tired. And it’s my own doing. I control my own schedule, so why did I do this to myself? I’m neglecting my own needs for the sake of others, and I’m neglecting my family’s needs for my own. I’m tired physically and emotionally and can feel depression creeping in. It’s time to say no to everyone today and spend time with God. Just for now. For one hour, I’m going to focus on Jesus. Shut out the needs and screams of others demanding my attention.
You take care of them, Lord. I give the whole package up to you: my schedule, the people in my life, my day, my accomplishments. Today is Your day. I will take it at Your pace, one thing at a time, one step at a time. I pray that You will screen my interruptions today. Guide my every thought. Amen.
April 20. Yesterday was rejuvenating to me. I took the whole day just for me. I deep-cleaned the house, balanced the checkbook, sorted stuff out, made cookies, went shopping for groceries. The one thing I didn’t do was answer the 25 phone calls that rang! It felt awful doing so, but I was beyond caring. I knew I had to take care of myself before I could take care of others. It felt so good to get my house in order. Now I’m ready to serve again.
Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
Lift up your voice to God.
Praise with the spirit and with understanding,
O magnify the Lord.
In the Pursuit of Peace 
My burn out phase probably happened several years ago. I was involved in activities with students 7 days a week to the point that I saw them almost more than their parents did. One piece of advice from a friend in college was “learn to say no”. Just because something needs a person to do it, doesn’t mean you have to be the one to do it. It was the best advice I ever got. I may get a few judgmental looks, but that’s their problem, not mine. Only I know my limits.
Being a wife and mom is a whole different set of demands, but learning to say no is still a good piece of advice. You have always been my hero in how you balance things, so if this is something you are seeing to be a new phase in your life, I congratulate you.
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That entry was from 2007. But I do seem to go in cycles of rest and busyness. I’m just more aware of my limits now.
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