Keeping it all in Balance

Have you felt the tension of your family schedule pulling you in too many directions? Many families today run at a pace that makes life spin and blur. Add to this the normal rigor of school academics, and you find parents and kids who fall into bed exhausted only to wake up early the next day to start again.

Did God intend for us to live at this pace, or is this a product of a culture in which we desire to make all things possible?

Deut 30:16 states, “For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”

I have been meditating on what it means to “walk in His ways.” Here are a few ideas to consider as you manage the schedule of normal life:

1. Walking is different from running – I find it significant that the imagery is around a pace which allows you to stop, to pause, to rest, to engage, to observe, to chat. Take a minute to consider the pace of your family’s life. Do you all have time to chat over dinner, or even to share a meal during the week? Try slowing down enough to create margins for God to reveal an agenda that might not be on your calendar.

2. Walking like Him means living like Him - The notion of “walking” in scripture is tied to the idea of living. To walk in His ways is to live like Christ. As you seek to balance the various commitments in your home, consider the opportunities you have to express His love, to share a word of encouragement, and to serve others along the way. If your pace doesn’t allow for these moments of practical, every day ministry, it might be time to slow down a bit.

3. Walking affords time to reflect – When we find a good rhythm in life, our kids know that they have time to review and reflect. What did I learn from that Saturday morning soccer game? Can I take time to review that math concept before rushing off to ballet? Seek to find a balance at home that allows you to process the events of the day, to reflect on what can be learned from the experiences, and to pause long enough for insights to surface.