slowing down, saying 'no', & other out -of-reach items˜

You know how you probably do have more flour or plastic zip-lock bags or whatever in your kitchen, but it's on a higher shelf that is out of easy reach? You're going to have to get a chair or step- stool ("hocker" = German word) to check it out. Sometimes I feel like slowing down is like that. It's there-- it's available-- this "thing" of learning to "walk" at a do-able pace, enjoying life more, or saying "no." But it's not gonna be at my fingertips. I will have to REACH for it! Especially to the extent that my life &/or work are led or acted on by other forces or leaders.

But sometimes that force" is ME, or within ME. Perhaps based on a "type A" personality? Or influenced by my family? That force may come from: MY expectations, the perceived "demands" of others, MY view of God, my inability to do things part-way (as in 85%, for example, versus 120%!).

The reality of being single is also crazy as it relates to TIME- use-- at least I reflect on this & feel that way! ALL the emails & correspondence & mailing birthday gifts (& remembering birthdays), & finding a new cell phone service, & dusting the living room, & washing my winter coat that got smokey after we had our group in a new pub last week, & vacuuming out the car, & reading a fun book or inspirational book, & picking out what will be served for supper (& shopping ahead of time), & driving to the park so I can take a walk and have a break, & remembering that I have to run to the ATM (do I have enough cash in that account?- better check on-line)-- it's all for me to do, figure out, delegate or postpone! That can be truly mind- boggling at times.

Now that's just everyday life-- behind the scenes, household stuff. Not to mention ALL the work/ ministry--it's also mine to do or delegate (meetings, people, planning, vision-ing, groups, oops-- do i have cookies to serve with the coffee?, more meetings, coffee times, studying for the group, mentoring, emails, Friday lunch in the Mensa, reading up, going to a party, filling out forms, traveling, cleaning the apartment for guests -- and then after the guests)... whew! And just imagine-- much of that, I LOVE-- I even picked my "job"!

OK-- so I'm complaining, but gotta throw in one more thing-- all the trash- taking-out means ME (in Germany that involves recycling). Today I went to throw out paper, plastic, & clear glass- in 3 separate containers down the street.

Here are a few "tips" for slowing down, from a struggler (not an expert, for sure!) :-) ...

Today it was:

1) OUT of TOUCH: no emails (Saturday is my day off!)

2) OUT of PLACE: get OUT of my apartment (because i "work" here, too) for a walk in the park with my iPod, despite the cold & drizzle-- but also still moments to hear the wind in the trees

3) "SLOW" PLACE: to Phil's cafe in a trendy neighborhood, w/ Diana Krall playing on their speakers -- drinking coffee while getting time w/ God.

4) CUT the PACE: Another way to "slow down" (ha!) that I used this week: I already got 2 out-of-town trips this month (one planned by leadership outside of my control, & one planned by me, so....). Therefore, I turned down a "great opportunity" (truly!) for a 3rd one!

5) OUTSOURCE/ accountability: I ran ideas by our "team"/ staff so they could keep me 'sane' on a few decisions, before I over- committed. I generally do this; what a joy to be & have TEAM!

6) SHARED PACE: resist the idea of "I have to get this email out tonight!" If I feel I need to write something, just so I can check it off my list or know it's done, but it's later evening, that does NOT mean I have to send it! So I've begun putting some things in my "draft" box of emails if it's after a certain hour, to send out the next morning. That way I resist the temptation of pulling people into MY schedule, even though some people are "night owls" like me-- :-)

Two of my favorite verses that help me out in having focus & slowing down are:

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 4:10-11

"The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me." - Mark 14:7

Key thoughts here:

It's wrong for me to teach about God when I have no preparation and really nothing that the Lord has put on my heart... I'm just dishing out "blah- blah" because the occasion seems to call for it. In the same way, to SERVE without God's strength is wrong and may not even praise Him (that doesn't mean I won't be tired or even exhausted sometimes when I'm involved in activities for God; however, if I KNOW that my physical or emotional energy level is saying "stop the madness"-- probably more than once!-- it's time for a break). And it's amazing how "energetic" I can feel, even though I might get physically tired, when God has wired me for a task, an event, a people- investment.

There will always be needs around me. Poor people. "Impoverished" attitudes & emotions. Spiritual wasteland. But I'm not called to "be there" for ALL these people & situations. My first calling is to spend time with Jesus-- then He'll let me know what's on the agenda for MY special contribution to the world for that day.

What are your tips for slowing down, delegating better, & saying "no"? How can this lifestyle of a good "pace" be more in REACH?