Beating Burn Out

Stay Home.
In a time when moms are busier than ever, it's really easy to get "burned out." We keep detailed schedules of our families comings and goings. Between managing our household, church activities, ball practice, music lessons, visiting with friends and school it's no wonder our children need a master schedule keeper. With some of our girls in Christian school and some home schooled we often feel like we are juggling two worlds, and that doesn't include church and extra curricular activities. December, January and February are typically hard months because basketball is in full swing, so during these times it's easy for me to feel stretched farther than I can go.
Last week I read an article in Reader's Digest about beating burnout and, as expected, it gave the world's opinion on what to do. I was even somewhat impressed that the article included prayer, support networks, healthy living and setting limits for yourself. I did not count on the article saying anything about who God is and what He requires of us. Nor did I expect to read that we are to die to ourselves and put others first.
As I was thinking through the article and how I felt I should respond I was hit with something - two daughters with a high fever. Hannah had not felt well for a while and came home from school early, Sarah started her fever on Friday night. With two big girls feelings so bad that all they could do was sleep, I couldn't go anywhere or do anything - but stay home all weekend. Oh, how nice it was to stay home and catch up on some cleaning and sleeping. By Monday morning four girls had fevers and we went to the doctor. (It was a strep and sinusitis infections.) I couldn't help but think how relaxed I was with four girls really sick.
Now I remember that the reason I have so much work is because I have so many girls. It would be easy to get so wrapped up in the work that I forget the ones who cause the work in the first place. Tonight I plan to keep pushing liquids, giving extra hugs and thank the girls for giving me a weekend at home. My prayer is that the girls would grow and thrive in an environment where they are encouraged to work hard and rest fully when God gives them the opportunity.