“Redeem the time for the days are evil {Greek: “poneros” meaning “causing harm or great difficulty”}. So, I’m going to take this verse from Ephesians 5:16, and show you how it has become very alive to us. My husband and I have decided to redeem the time in our house. Yep, that’s right. We are taking it all back, reclaiming our precious time with our kids.
Over the summer, we overbooked ourselves astronomically. We juggled basketball on two separate teams, volleyball, and baseball. Yeah, exactly. What were we thinking?! Dinners were rushed, scattered or merely heavy snack times. It really tainted our summer, and it didn’t work for us. I know multiple families who run their lives like this, taxiing their brood from event to event, chasing travel ball, filling every pocket of time with activity. These things are not evil by any means, but alluding back to the definition, they were causing great difficulty.
After the last game of the season, the Tatham Family went on strike. We cancelled everything besides church and school. We said no to Boy Scouts, flag football, fall ball, elementary sports, and anything else that might dare come our way to distract us again. And what did we gain? Peace. Unrushed dinners. Time to clean up afterwards. Opportunity to color with my daughter while she still actually wants her mom to color with her. Guess what? The world continued to revolve, our kids were happy, and we were not rushed.
This is called a time of rest. We are not inactive but merely stepping back and gaining momentum and strength. Our bodies were not made to go full throttle at all hours of the day. Most kids are overstimulated and way too scheduled. Chill out and take a walk! I have heard it said that if we do not take this time of rest when it calls to you, your body will make you rest. God never brings on sickness because it is not his nature, but He does give us wisdom and a brain to know when enough is enough and to slow down.
Again, I cannot tell you how much we have enjoyed the beginning of this fall season just sitting outside sipping tea and coffee, listening to our kids practice their school reading assignments, cooking supper together, and being present in the moment. I invite you to evaluate what you might cut from your schedule and re-assess how you could give your best yes so your family gets the best you that you can give!
