I’m currently writing this blog post from my bed, with a
heating pad on the bulging disc at the bottom of my spine. I’ve had bronchitis
for over a month now and I coughed my way into some serious back pain. I’m on
painkillers, a muscle relaxer and a steroid, so hopefully my post won’t come
out too terribly jumbled.
This enforced bed rest makes me crazy, but I think it may be
God’s way of slowing me down. I am not someone who lets physical ailments get in the way of what I have to do or I wouldn’t get anything done, especially since I have a couple of chronic
illnesses. But this spine problem slam-dunked me. I can’t ignore it, since
standing and sitting currently requires a second person to leverage me up. I
hate it when that happens, but I know the good Lord has it all in His hands.
One of the attributes an author, as well as all those who
work-at-home, is the ability to self-motivate. That book is not going to write
itself. My problem isn’t so much being able to push myself, but knowing when to
stop and smell the roses. Writing is kind of a twenty-four hour a day job. I am
always thinking about my novel and even dreaming about it.
But I don’t want to be that wife, mom or granny who can’t
set aside my laptop to love on my Boo and Busy Bee, or to share a recipe with
my three adult daughters, or to stop and listen to my dear hubby talk about his
day.
There are times, of course, that I have to put up the “Do Not Disturb” sign
and push through, tight deadlines that keep me up half the night and have my
family calling for pizza if they want to eat. Probably more often than it ought
to happen. Sometimes I’ve ignored what my body is telling me and I end up sick
for a long time—like that bronchitis I mentioned.
One way I’ve found to slow down is keeping the Sabbath. On
Sundays, I don’t have to worry about anything except worshipping God, spending
time with my family and getting some rest. It’s the only day I give myself
permission to relax. It is, after all, God’s idea. I also start and end every
day with prayer.
I would love to hear how you get away from the madness of ordinary
life. How do you relax and turn your mind back on the Lord?
The Cowboy's Twins is Deb's May release from Harlequin Love Inspired.
Posts
