Time to Relinquish the Rush

Anna
Anna

I’m having a bad morning. Rushing to be somewhere makes me a maniac!

Anna
Laura
Laura

Story. Of. My. Life.

Laura
Anna
Anna

It seems like no matter what I do, how many kids are with me, or how sane I start off the morning, I am constantly ten minutes late and hurrying like crazy. Is this just me???

Anna
Desi
Desi

Oh, I don’t know. I never have that issue. ??

Desi
Anna
Anna

The worst part is in my rushing, I do stupid things that make me even more of a maniac. Like this morning, I dropped Ben’s homework sheet (that I was signing, while fixing my hair) in the toilet. And someone hadn’t flushed, of course. My rational self isn’t really present in these moments.? ? ?

Anna
Laura
Laura

NOOOOO!!!

Laura
Desi
Desi

LOL! Okay, I know it’s probably not so helpful to laugh… ? but it makes me feel better to know I’m not the only one that has this running-around-like-a-chicken-with-my-head-cut-off problem. ? ? (And the homework in the toilet IS funny…in a terrible way.) ?

Desi
Anna
Anna

I guess I have to laugh or I will cry!

Anna
Desi
Desi

Exactly! The longer I am a mom, the more I’m finding that to be true for everything. We have this choice to either laugh or cry. Unfortunately, I tend to do neither of those things and just get mad ? and that doesn’t help either.

Desi
Anna
Anna

MAD…yes! I think that’s it exactly. In the rushing moments I am mad at myself, thinking things like, “Why don’t I get up earlier? Why can’t I EVER be on time? Why did I just snap at the kids?” And if I’m being honest, sometimes I’m mad at the kids too, “Why are they not helping me? Why are they just going S-L-O-W-E-R??? ?

Anna
Laura
Laura

I have one that moves sooooo slowly that it make me nuts! He’s oblivious to everyone else’s rushing. He just moseys around like time doesn’t exist. It’s a miracle we haven’t missed the bus yet this year! Lollygagging when you should be rushing is equally infuriating and still causes us to be late!!

Laura
Desi
Desi

Turtle pace.?  But you know what I found that helps me? (When I remember to do it!) I take a deep breath and ask myself, “What is the worst thing that will happen if I’m late?”

Because once I think about it from the “worst case scenario” perspective, it helps me realize the world is not going to end if we’re late – helps me slow down and let it go.

Desi
Anna
Anna

True… And breathing is DEFINITELY a good thing…that I forget to do often.

Anna
Desi
Desi

Sort of essential to life. ?

Desi
Laura
Laura

Breathing! Now there’s a novel concept! But not just survival breaths. Life-giving breaths!

Laura
Desi
Desi

Yes! And maybe that is the key. In our breathing, we try to remember where every breath comes from. That will help us to remember that God is the source of all good things and He calls us to rest, not to be headless chickens. ? ?

Desi
Anna
Anna

I think stopping to breathe in the midst of all of that is hard to do though!

Anna
Laura
Laura

Right… because we aren’t thinking straight!!

Laura
Desi
Desi

It is tough! But I don’t mean stop and sit down and ponder life… I just mean stopping the panic craziness to breathe, and refocus for a second or two on what is really important. And know that it is going to be OK.

Desi
Anna
Anna

I like that… Stopping before we cross that fine line between hurrying and panicking! Not letting myself spin out of control.

Anna
Laura
Laura

And I love the thought about where our every breath comes from. Maybe that will help me keep it all in perspective before I’m too mad to speak kindly to my family!  And if I have to choose between kindness and promptness, breathing in His breath will make that choice a whole lot easier.

Laura
Anna
Anna

OK, this is a good plan. Whenever I feel rushed and panic mode starts to set in, I will take a deep breath and say, “Dear Jesus, you authored this moment. Help me to slow down and rest in You, and know that You’ve got it.”? ?

Anna
Desi
Desi

Love it. Now go fish that homework out of the toilet, convince yourself that it was a clean toilet, blow-dry it off, remind yourself there are worse things in life, and be on your way. ?

Desi

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to encourage you:

    • “The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7
    • “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping!’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy…The Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.” Psalm 94: 18-22
    • “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Music to inspire you:


Readings to come alongside of you:


Living Out the Truth

Ideas to try:

Calming Breath
  1. Take a long, slow breath in through your nose, first filling your lower lungs, then your upper lungs.
  2. Hold your breath to the count of “three.”
  3. Exhale slowly through pursed lips, while you relax the muscles in your face, jaw, shoulders, and stomach.
    • In order to avoid rushing, try giving yourself a buffer of 15 extra minutes before you actually HAVE to leave. This will allow for surprise potty accidents, last-minute snacks, and children who just want to stop and smell the flowers (literally).

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more. In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}

One thought on “Time to Relinquish the Rush

  1. Oh my, this is gold. It is good to read the real stuff ladies. Just the other day our cat really did try to eat my child’s homework. >_< Real life is crazier than fiction eh?!

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