I am not usually a sentimental person, but this past week I have been a little more reflective --- and grateful for decisions of the past.
You see approximately 6 years ago Brad and I took a trip (one that he had won by chasing trophies in the corporate world) and we had 4 consecutive days to talk - to evaluate - to dream. At that time, we had a 5 y/o and 1 y/o - both working intense full-time jobs - preparing to start paying private school tuition for the next 18 years - living in a dreamy house (may still be my favorite floor plan ever !) So, these 4 days were an exception as we normally didn't have 60 consecutive SECONDS to talk. Brad was killin' it - hitting every mark at work - climbing the corporate ladder - he was promised promotion --- We had it together - except for when we didn't! LOL - you know what I mean. Anyways, during these 4 days, we truly asked each other some hard questions - How are YOU holding up? How are WE doing - as a couple, as parents, as individuals, etc. ? And the unanimous answer ... We were TIRED - we missed seeing each other - missed seeing our boys - didn't feel connected in our jobs - We at least agreed that we were missing ALOT. We were missing MARGIN - and desperately wanted it - By "margin" - I mean the SPACE BETWEEN the "absolutes" - like attending school, work, our needs - and the " I should" or "we want to" - the sports, financial choices, the volunteer opportunities, etc First, is acknowledgement of the problem, right? Next , What ya gonna do about it ? We are no longer children who can only tag along to where ever our parents drag us - we are not just passive recipients of someone else's desires or schedules. We can make changes. We can say "no" - really we can! We can lay activities down. We can walk away from a job. We can make a move. So, for the Broxton family of 4, we prayed and made our desire for margin known to God. We wanted to flourish - to thrive.. Now, 6 years later- we sold our dreamy house that no one said would sell ( remember housing market 6 yrs ago) - we cut back our working hours - we desired for one of us to greet the boys each day off the bus - we traded in new cars - drove older cars. We paid down debt for financial margin (which i the gateway for ALL other types of margin) - and in turn, we created space for our family and ourselves. You gotta have space to grow - to stretch - to bloom - to be your BEST self. I hope and pray this is where you find yourself and your family - with margin and breathing room in your daily schedule and life. I am beyond thankful for our past decisions - and we have been given "immeasurably more" in the margin by our Heavenly Father. So, if you're not living within healthy boundaries, why not ? Are you getting self-worth from "busyness"? Do the quiet and still moments take more effort ? I am not sure where your limits are - but you know where you need margin. But I DO KNOW - you gotta MOVE to get margin - not like sell your house (or in our case , yes) - but you gotta take an active role to gain space - Margin will NOT find you -- get after it ! Let God bless you in the space !
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Me?
a mid-thirties mom and wife seeking truth, peace and joy in my daily life. mom to two wild, snuggly, and fierce boys - and wife to my best friend and bearded man of my dreams. My joys are giving and receiving gifts (its my love language- not materialistic) - pushing my limits and extinguishing my stress in the workout room- serving others in the medical profession and in my community of friends . i love doing life with others - the phone calls on way to work, the couch discussions, the annual camping trips - My community of friends would tell you I am as authentic and outspoken as you can get - sometimes you can find my husband hiding behind a pillow! My parents thought I would always be a lawyer- I have a strong passion to get the last word - I just cant walk away. Marriage, Motherhood, and my walk with the Lord continue to push me, shape me, and change me. I pray this blog will bless just ONE - and the point to the ONE- Archives
November 2018
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