Balance and Busy-ness

God works through people differently. It is all pretty awesome.  One way I am made is, i like to be a nurturer or caregiver.

That is way cool and I'm happy about that.

I'm learning that it is too easy to get "caught up in the calling" or to identify yourself with your calling, instead of continuing to be who God made you to be.  For me, that means being "Ginny" (who is pretty weird! ).

I was talking to one of my trusted mentors/ "other Dad" and he brought up this point.  It was really good that he did, because I had never thought about that.  At the time though, I could feel "me" being sucked up into trying to always do what I think God designed me to.  If I don't, am I failing God?  Well, no.  Perhaps always "being busy" fails to glorify God in other ways.

I'm still processing this one.  But these are areas that I've noticed can get damaged by trying to always do, do, do service and not "be Ginny".... (PAUSE:   don't get me wrong.  Ministry should be a natural part of our lives.  But so should being the people God made us to be.  Before I forget, I will say that God's creation glorifies Him.  To not be what God created you to be- silly, or thoughtful, or funny, or happy, or creative, or athletic, or social, or whatever--- that would be a shame and would not fully glorify God. ....UNPAUSE)

Back to "the list" of where damage can happen.

--damage to personal relationships (family, marriage, friends)
--damage to own emotional and/or mental health
--damage to relationship with God (you can neglect God, too, by just doing works and not spending time with or worshipping Him) (there isn't a specific, "you must do this to spend time with God" law, but yeah. Part of relationship is listening, and it is hard to listen if you are not in constant or set apart prayer time)
--failure to grow. CHRIST is to be our anchor, not works or service or people.  If Christ is trying to lead you somewhere else but your ankle is tied to some service, how can you follow?  You must answer to God, not works or people

My mentor went on to say that it was up to me to make boundaries and define what would constitute me breaking away from time with a loved one, or whatever, for a crisis.

Life is about balance in many ways.  Are you glorifying God in the different areas of your life, such as,
Service-
Hobbies-
Relationships-
Talents/gifts-
Passions-
Stewarding body-
Stewarding resources-
?

Keep relying on God for balance.  Ask Him to guide you.  Proverbs 3:6 says, "Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight" !  I've also heard it said, "...and He will 'pave the way'"

Pray.  Pay attention to where your time goes.  Have accountability/talk about it with people.  Ask questions.
Live life to the fullest, to your best.  Life can be a lot more simple that it seems, I think, and often find myself forgetting.