A few years ago I went to the gym to run on the treadmill. I hate to excersice so this was a big deal for me. I got on the treadmill and started off on a nice little run. After about 20 minutes (okay, probably more like 10) I decided I had done enough and wanted to get off the treadmill. I was new to this machine and couldn’t figure out how to stop the stupid thing, so I thought it best to just try to step off while it was still running. Not a good idea. The treadmill was positioned very close to a wall so as I tried to step off with one foot on and one foot off I suddenly went flying backward into the wall and then facedown on the still running treadmill. Needless to say it hurt…both my pride and my body! 

I feel like the past few weeks have been similar to this treadmill experience. Life has been moving really fast…really intense…and very busy. I want to step off for a moment to catch my breath but when I try, I seem to get thrown back against the wall and then straight back into the fast moving world around me. I’ve come to understand that life comes at us in a range of different seasons. Some seasons are really laid back and we are wishing for more action and excitement, then others, like the one I am currently in, are fast-paced, beyond busy and make you want to scream “I need 5 more hours in my day to get it all done”! Tell me I’m not the only one that has ever felt that way?

In this busy season that is swriling around us, Bryson and I cling to our family mantra…

We want to THRIVE in life…not just SURVIVE through life! 

We want to THRIVE and soak it all in…even the tough parts. So we try to always choose JOY and praise God for another day, no matter how hectic. I have been reminded lately that I can not be all things at all times, and if I want to THRIVE I can’t try to be all things. That means some things don’t get done right away and I may dissapoint people. It probably means the laundry pile will grow a little higher and the already month late Thank You notes will have to wait one more day. The blog (which only about 3 people read, anyway) may not get updated and we will most definitely forget to put out the garbage on Tuesday morning. But, that’s okay. Really, it’s okay. If we all take a step back  in these busy whirlwind-life moments we are able to get incredible perspective on what is really important in life. What’s important to me in this season is that I  hold on tight to my sweet Jesus who is a mighty fortress and gives me amazing strength to be a mom, a wife, and a worker. I’m going to love my husband and adore my children. I’m going to take a deep breath and keep running on that fast treadmill with a smile on my face and do all I can do, knowing that I am choosing to Thrive in these crazy moments and find joy in the chaos. My life (an your life) is worth more than just surviving…I believe we should THRIVE. 

Psalm 62:1-2 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.