This change of pace has been one of the most challenging aspects of adjustment. I’ve been trying to process why this has been so hard and I have thought of a few different factors. The first is that being in a hurry and having overly fully scheduled leaves little time to be still with the Lord. I have become the queen of multitasking, listening to my Bible reading or a sermon while doing housework or driving. While that may be better for me than not reading the Bible at all, it also isn’t the same as being still before the Lord. My mind and heart are not as renewed or encouraged as when I take extended time away to focus on God’s love.
The second factor is that full schedules leave little time for deep meaningful connection. I met a friend for coffee but with all the other things in my day, I had to rush out to get to my next appointment. The little time we had was great, but it isn’t the same as hours of doing life together. I think we all desire connection, but often accept the weak substitutes of social media or activities around other people.
So what should we Americans do? It seems nearly impossible to live a slower paced life here. I am learning a few ways to adjust. I know that I need to make time to rest and have time alone with God that isn’t just while I’m going from here to there. I want to redeem those times too, but setting apart a time to be still is important, I also need to learn to say no at times. I love helping people and don’t like to say that I don’t have time for something. I’m tutoring students in mathematics and I love helping them understand challenging concepts! Life in America is also expensive and I like being able to help with some of our family expenses. But I’m also learning that I can’t do everything and still be able to love my family well. When I am overwhelmed, they are the ones who often have to deal with the stressed out wife/mom who is irritable.
So I’m asking God to help me live a more healthy paced life even in the midst of the hustle and bustle of America. I’m trying to set apart time to rest in Him and time to meaningfully connect with friends and family here. And I’m learning to say no. It’s humbling to acknowledge my limitations. I like being capable.
I injured my shoulder a few weeks ago trying to climb an inverted climbing wall after not having done any climbing in decades. I was foolish to think that I could still climb as if I was in my 20s. I think trying to keep up with the pace of life here is similar. I’ve injured myself by overcommitting, thinking I could do it all, even though I had not been keeping up with life in America for 10 years. Having my two boys playing on different football teams and my daughter on a soccer team all during their first semester in school in America, may have been unwise. But sometimes we learn from our mistakes. I’m not climbing that wall anytime soon. And I’m thankful that football season is over and we will have a slightly less busy season ahead. Today, I’m choosing to take some of the time I have to just sit and be thankful.
