The Rat Race

Have you ever seen a bunch of rats running around outside a building in the dark? I saw this awhile back in Washington DC and it was really disturbing to see. As I think more about it, I wonder how much we might be like these rats.

I've been thinking a lot about busyness lately. I have been trying to eliminate things from my calendar, but every time I think I have eliminated something...it seems that something else takes it's place. I'm sure most of you know what I mean. I ask myself "Why am I doing this?" and the things I come up with are: "I'm doing it for my kids, I need some personal time, I feel obligated to do this, I don't want to miss this great opportunity"... and on and on and on the list goes. I scamper here and there...and the image of a crazy bunch of rats pops into my mind. Yuck!

But do any of these tasks/activities really amount to much? Sure most of them are good things and are learning experiences, but I wonder if they are really that important. I am beginning to think not. The more I dwell on my own choices of busyness, the more I am seeing other things as being more important.

Over the summer part of a sermon I heard has stuck with me. The pastor talked about how God created us not as humans doing, but as humans being. I have found this to be a huge challenge for me. I want to do but am working more on just being...being with God, my family, my friends and neighbors. The point is that by being, we develop deeper relationships. The practice of presence is hard to do (especially with a full task list), but I've found that the more I do of this, the more I have come to appreciate the reward found in just being ( and I don't think rats just sit around). So even with the busy fall season just around the corner, if you see me sitting on my front porch, be assured that it might not look like I am doing much...but I will be being much.