As I was sitting this morning with the back door open to the screen, I was reminded that spring is here. I could hear the birds singing their morning songs. And I realized how much I missed that. Yes, during the winter months, with doors and windows closed, you don't have the opportunity to listen much for that. But with the promise of warmer weather around the corner, the hope of renewal sings right outside the door.

Unfortunately, it was also a reminder to me of how very busy I've been too (not good). The last several weeks have been too crazy.....definitely NOT how I like it. I'm starting to see the sunshine through the clouds now, but I have to ask myself, what makes that happen?  I thought about that question for a while this morning and then decided that it was one worth asking here... 

When you come to the point that you realize that life has not been all that it should be, what exactly gets us to that place? What gets us out-of-sinc? Try to pinpoint 3 reasons if you can. This is what I found for me...

1. Too much of anything, ends up being a burden....to many ores in the water...sticks in the fire....scoops in the ice cream....anyway you want to put it. Too much activity for me. Each worthy time-taker in and of itself is not bad. As a matter of fact, we do take the time to weigh every activity wisely before we commit. Many things we have to say no to. But at certain times of the year, when all of those activities culminate....like lately....it makes for a mess. I realized lately that the show will go on, even if I'm not there. Sometimes, I just have to say not tonight, we need a rest. For example, last night was Briar's Court of Honor and Clara's Small Group meeting. Both at the same time. And, for about 5 minutes we entertained the idea of trying to do both. But, then a better plan presented itself...Plan B.  And Clara accepted Plan B. She went to Boy Scouts with us to support her brother's accomplishments, and missed Small Group for once. Good choice. Good sisterly duty to her brother. Good way a family does life together. And a great example of how to just say no sometimes.
2. The second sinc-sinker is what happens as a result of #1 (see #1 for refresher).  With too much activity, we don't get enough rest. With not enough rest, we become grumpy, cranky and impatient with one another. We don't have quality time with eachother. And more importantly, we neglect the quality time with God. Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God." There is GREAT truth in those words, because as we've all learned, without taking the time to rest in His loving arms, we tend to forget those loving arms, and focus more on the storm all around us. We become a spectator in life again...watching it go by...without really getting in the game. And before we know it, we've become disconnected from the flow of Holy Spirit....disconnected from the Vine. We don't see any fruit in our lives because we've somehow cut off the flow of nurishment to the branches (that's us). We begin to dry up. And if we're not careful, we can feel like we've simply withered and died.
3. This one is a little more personal for me, but I'm going to share it. Something that really gets me out of sinc, is being out of sinc with my other half....my dear hubby. What's that saying? When momma ain't happy, nobody's happy? Well, I think it should be, when momma and daddy ain't happy, nobody's happy. When we neglect the nurturing of our marriage, it doesn't take long to see the rippling effects throughout our family. I'm so thankful and praise God often, that we've grown in wisdom and maturity in the the 15 years. We've come to a stable point of being able to recognize the symptoms earlier now. We've come to a place in our relationship where it's more important to reach harmony, then our own agendas. But, in those off times when things aren't going as we'd like, when we both think our way is the best (yes, I can be stubborn), I know that I can be out-of-sinc.

Well, if it's not too umcomfortable for you, feel free to give your own honest rendition of what gets you out-of-sinc....in other words, what causes stress in your life? You can either leave your responses here, or let me know, and I'll visit your blog.

Thanks for participating!

I pray you have a blessed day!!

 Deborah