Weekend in a nutshell

Do you ever feel yourself coming to the end of your rope and knowing that something has to give in order for you to remain “sane”?  I had that moment on Friday.  I had had a long week at work and I knew that if I did not remove something from my weekend To Do list that I would be frazzled, crazy, and not quite myself…and who really wants to be around someone who’s frazzled?  Not me.  You see – I don’t even want to be around a frazzled version of myself.  There you have it.  The whole truth and nothing but the truth.  There are times when I take on too many things and then none of the things get the best version of me.  They get a worn-out, semi-cranky, not-really-wanting-to-be-there and clearly-not-a-blessing me.  And that’s sad but oh, so true.

Sooo Friday night after working-out with Lauren, I went home and immediately began cleaning the cottage.  I cleaned as if my life depended on the cleanliness of my humble dwellings.  I swept, vacuumed, scrubbed the floor and dusted and did laundry as if were back at PCC performing a White Glove cleaning to avoid demerits.  Yes, demerits.  I only received them one for White Glove and when I did not re-clean the item in question, the lovely dean removed all the W.G. demerits.  All 5 of them.  (Smiles.)

After cleaning, I donned my jimmies and watched the movie Big Miracle.  It’s based on a true story.  In 1988, three whales were trapped off of northern Alaska.  I vaguely remember this happening.  The movie is well-written.

On Saturday, the one thing that got scratched off my To Do list was the church picnic.  Something had to give…and I am realizing that no matter what I say “no” to that someone won’t be happy with me.  Either it will be others who don’t understand why I need to say “no” or it will be frazzled, disgruntled me that will be unhappy with myself for NOT saying “no.”  I have to pick and choose and realize that I cannot make every single person happy.  Some people go their whole lives and never learn this – and they end-up burned-out or always stressed-out and overwhelmed.  I don’t believe these are pleasing to the Lord.

I spent the majority of the day at the cottage – leaving only once for errands and a quick stop at the gym.  It was so relaxing and enjoyable.  Every now and then, it’s nice to just be home and not have to rush about. 

My September is crammed full of activities…and I knew that starting the weekend with a relaxing sort-of Saturday was a splendid way to start the month of busy-ness.

I managed to haul in all of my fall decorations and get summer packed away nicely.  I sorted through several storage totes and managed to go through a box of pictures.  Oh, the memories.  The 2001 trip to Rhode Island for a special Thanksgiving with the sweetest elderly couple and my friend Mandy.  I found my old library work ID.  Old plane ticket stubs.  A pile of emails from the weatherman.  Most of these items went in to the recycle bin.  A few of them – I held on too…I’m sentimental like that.

This time seeing the Rhode Island pictures did not hurt.  I looked at myself and remembered the girl I was then and considered how much life has changed since that time…and it didn’t make me sad.  I realize that my Father has planned it all and this is His perfect plan for my life.  The girl in the picture didn’t know heart-break and how to relate to others who were hurting.  The girl in the mirror now – she knows.  She has more compassion than the girl in the picture.

Sunday ~ I realized that I had made a mistake and studied for the wrong lesson.  Somehow in my brain, I thought I had read that I was to teach the children about Daniel in the lions’ den.  It seemed odd because that experience happened near the end of Daniel’s life…and why was the curriculum skipping over the beginning of Daniel’s life?  It seemed strange to me.  Well, I should’ve double-checked the week.  Instead of preparing for Fall Week 1 ~ I was on Fall Week 3.  Thankfully I had been reading through the life of Daniel for my devotions so I just shared with the children what I had been studying and learning. 

I’ve since triple-checked next week’s lesson.  It is the events of Daniel chapter 2.  Yeah!!!  Now I am paranoid about teaching the wrong lesson.  What’s amazing is that the Lord had me read the right text for my devotions, I just studied and prepared for a lesson that is 2 weeks away.  He knows best.  And well, the lesson has been learned.   The girl with curly hair will double-check the lesson number from now on. 

After Sunday school ~ I spent the afternoon organizing verse memorization cards.  Lauren and I had been piling up the extras and we had quite a stack…  I had a sorting epiphany!  I decided to sort the cards in Biblical order.  It made it a snap to get them organized.  And now – they are safely locked in a cabinet in my Sunday school classroom.  I need to find something with a lid to keep them safe and sound.  Right now – the box is not what I would label as “sturdy.”  It will do in a pinch.

Last night was the first Sunday night that I have not had my side-kick with me.  Miss Alisa has moved with her family to the great Promise Land (Michigan).  I missed sitting by her last night.  I missed hearing her cheerful singing voice and her infectious smile.

And here it is…Monday.  Actually it’s nearing the end of my workday which is wonderful.  My last break of the day.  My last blissful 15 minutes of the day.  The remainder of the day will be spent proofreading documents and getting my piles organized for tomorrow. 

After work, I am going to our Ladies’ Salad Supper.  It’s the kick-off for our monthly Bible study.  I’ve decided to make a healthy salad dish so that I will have something safe to share and to enjoy.  I’m looking forward to our new Bible study.  And wouldn’t you know – the title of the book was on the tip of my tongue and now that I’ve mentioned it, I cannot remember the title.  Well, you will just have to stay tuned for more on the book study.

Speaking of book studies, I’m about 2/3 of the way through Lysa TerKeurst’s Unglued.  She has this uncanny ability to totally step on my toes and make me smile and rejoice over the toe-stepping.  Her vulnerability to be real and to keep her book very real is what makes me love her writing.  She understands.  She keeps her truths grounded in God’s Word.  Her books let me know that I am not alone in these struggles.  You know – I was thinking about this over the weekend…Satan loves when he can feed us the line that we are the only ones struggling in a particular area.  He loves it when we eat up that lie hook, line, and sinker.  He has us trapped and we are our own worst-enemy.  He’s a liar.  It’s what he does.  He lies to us.  The closer I am to God – the less room there is for his stinkin’, lying ways.  When I am surrounded by the Truth, there isn’t room for lies…and if he does try to lie, I see him for what he is…a liar.  The enemy.  A roaring lion.  Lion – liar.  They start with the same sound.  Interesting.

I hope you’ve had a lovely Monday.