Reflections from a Busy Season

Candy blogs: I am just now coming out of one of the busiest seasons I have ever experienced. I’ve been driving full force since December and it has been unavoidable. The “D” or “lion” part of my personality has literally pulled me through these months. I have missed the “I” or “otter” part of my personality and have missed interacting with many of you here. I hope to be getting back to weekly posts now.

I’ve been reflecting over these past months. Here’s what I’m thinking.

Year End
I went through my first bookkeeping year end in ten years in January. It left me dazed and traumatized. I had to re-educate myself about deadlines and multiple state rules. There are so many more options now with online submissions, etc. It was a nightmare for this out of the box bookkeeper. I do know what I’ll be doing differently next year … purchase forms and envelopes on January 2, forget using the IRS forms, look into free IRS online submission options way before deadline. Most important of all, do not fill in any of those blank calendar squares in January with anything besides year end deadlines.

My Father-in-Law’s Passing
After several years of ill health, my dear father-in-law passed away in January. With honor and joy, I planned and officiated the service. Since he passed away in another state, we spent a lot of time on the phone and texting with our step-mom to offer as much support as we could. As our family gathered together, we spent time remembering Dad and had very meaningful conversations about life and death and family dynamics. His legacy is strong in us. We miss him.

New Clients
My schedule was clicking away smoothly until one day I made a phone call that had nothing to do with my bookkeepig business. As it turned out, I found a new bookkeeping client that is a match made in heaven. It was good news but it put my carefully controlled schedule into a tizzy. I have wondered about the timing because of the burden of the very tight schedule but, as Dave Ramsey says, you have to work hard for a dream. My dream and calling is to speak full time. As the dream builds, we still have to meet some current financial needs and goals. So for a season, I’ll be working hard and I’ll get tired. But hard work never hurt anyone. God is so good.

Speaking
The most active times for speakers are spring and fall. This spring has been no exception. I have been so privileged to have had such a full speaking calendar! It has been a joyful whirlwind! Some travel has been with my husband and included other friends and family in conjunction with speaking engagements. And I have also traveled alone. One of my favorite things about speaking is the blessing of meeting many lovely new friends. My gratefulness to my Lord Jesus Christ for allowing me to be living and serving in my strengths and passions in this way almost cannot be contained.

Local Church Ministry
During these past months, ministry in my local church has continued. I did cut some things but other things had to increase. One thing I am passionate about is facilitating Dave Ramsey’s course, “Financial Peace University”. This class changed our lives four years ago and it’s a privilege to share it with as many others as possible. If you’re struggling with finances, I encourage you to click the links above. Find a class nearby. There is hope for you.

I am grateful for a healthy, alive church and a small group within that church who challenge me to walk the deeper path.

Self Care
Since I speak very publically about the importance of self care, I made a conscious effort to practice it during these months. I made time for girlfriends, got consistent sleep, took consistent work breaks during the day, enjoyed peaceful music in my office and burned beautiful candles. These things helped me breathe in rest and refreshment and helped me continue in the busy season.

Time for Rest
After my last scheduled week of speaking in the middle of April in Colorado, I’ll be settling in to await the birth of our first grandchild. It’s time to help feather the nest, recall my own moments of early motherhood, laugh and cry with our beautiful daughter and her dear husband, and dream of what God may have planned for our little grandson.

There will always be unavoidable busy seasons. But they should never be the norm. Never allow your busyness to overtake your needed perspective or your intimacy with Jesus.

Jesus says to us in these times …

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30  The Message Bible