Time

Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil, therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lod's will is.

- Ephesians 5:15-17

Moms have a superpower. Well, let's be honest. We have many superpowers. But the one I want to talk about is our talent for spotting danger. The minute our babies become mobile, we spy uncovered electrical plugs from across the room. We see sharp corners they're stumbling toward and choking hazards they're about to put in their mouths. We see toys they could trip over and drinks they might spill. It's really an ability to predict the future - to see potential trouble before it occurs.

What if we applied that same skill to our calendars?

In his letter to the people living in Ephesus, the apostle Paul offered a warning: "Be very careful, then, how you live." His words challenge us to bring some focus to the choices we make every day - choices like accepting that invitation, signing up for that class, or taking that job. We would never sit idly by while our children move toward danger. But so often we ignore the warning signs that our schedules are doing the same. We hop back in the car, open our laptops back up, or send yet another "Sure, I can help" text message, even though we know we're heading toward danger. To keep our children safe, we "babyproof" our homes. Can we do the same thing to our calendars? Can we employ safeguards to keep us from over commitment, exhaustion and short-temperedness? If you struggle with taking on too much, maybe it's time to outsource your most stressful household task for a season or take a break from your volunteer roles for a while. If you struggle with prioritizing, maybe you need to delete that distracting app from your phone or cancel your subscription for a few months.

Learning to say no before your calendar is our of control is far less painful than having to back out of or tough your way through too many obligations. Let's be careful how we live and avoid the danger of overcommitting our limited time.

(This is an excerpt taken from Breathing Room for Moms. Reprinted by permission of Sandra Stanley and Mandy Arioto, North Point Resources, 2019.)