How do you know?

As I sit in my office taking a much needed "mental health break", I remind myself that blogging isn't much of a break. And, more importantly...I promise myself that I will go do something mindless with myself, the moment I post this. Don't roll your eyes at me! Really. In fact, I am going to take a walk. It's daylight here in the P&L and far safer to do so than 5:00 A.M. When I get off work some nights.

Anyway, the question/questions today is/are...How does one stay balanced? How do we know when to walk away? When is the appropriate response, "Ain't NOBODY got time for that?"

I don't know. I think we focus on what and who we love. And, while things and people aren't a "zero sum" operation...there has to be some give and take. For example, I worked my tail off last week. I worked on some youth ministry items, I worked on some new training policies, did a bit of parenting, had a minor procedure, worked some late nights here at the venue...Saturday rolled around and I was exhausted with a migraine. Unfortunately, I was unable to work. They took it in stride and covered for me. It's not about keeping score. It is about feeling valued, trusted, and respected. No one said, "Are you sure you are sick? Are you sure you can't come in? Did you work enough hours?" No, they knew the truth of the situation.

The same is true when asking for help. We all have those people in our lives. You know the ones, the ones that always offer to assist. "If you ever need anything, just call." So, you do. You call and then eventually are criticized for not being sufficient, prepared, creative, strong, capable, or enough. What does one do in that situation? Well, I say be a mirror to the situation. Confirm that though you are capable, wise, and strong...you are in fact NOT superhuman. That you want the best for the situation and if that means stepping aside or asking for help....you are simply not above that. This isn't about egos or feeling threatened...it's simply about doing right for and by one another.

I don't believe in fighting. In fact, contrary to what one might think...I am utterly opposed to it. But, when we let others define us and determine our worth...we lose part of our individual integrity. God has BIG plans for us. And, advocating for oneself is necessary if not imperative.

I don't know "How we know...". I don't claim to have all of the answers. However, I do claim to leave room for the voice of God and others. There is a space between us all that we tend to muddy. There is a space between us that when pure, can change the world.