Time out

John 6:15 Perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

In the last six months or so that I have been stationed here at Lajes Field, I have realized what it means to live in a small community. There are only so many people to go around, so many people to do all the activities and keep them going. And everyone pretty much knows everyone else. It is a double-edged sword.

I have seen and heard other mom friends talking about how they have become overwhelmed with all the things that go on here. One receives invitations to so many activities, both for adults and activities with your kids. If you become involved in everything or even just attend lots of the events, there is a chance you might become weary. I did.

I have a couple friends here who are really, really good at limiting themselves. When I got here, I really did not know I needed limits. I had just spent the last five years in Oklahoma, having babies and loving the time I spent with them. I made one truly wonderful friend and spent whatever time was leftover working. Fast forward to here, where I throw myself head first into doing whatever there is.

Obviously that did not turn out to be the best idea. And I realize reading this today that Jesus knew that too. He withdrew. Of course, there was a plan for His life, of which He was already aware. But it stuck out to me this morning that He withdrew. He went to have time to Himself, time to think and be with the Father. He took a time out. And I need to do that too sometimes.

Our trip to the states was a good place to start because it forced me to have some time away from everything I had gotten involved in here and put it in perspective. And now I have come back to the island and I am working on keeping myself and the boys not too busy. I am working on taking my own time out when I need it... to figure out what the Father is truly leading me to do. No easy task...