The Isolation of Busyness
A surprising story of what gets lost in our busy lives
Life gets really crazy busy sometimes, doesn’t it?
A few weeks ago, I found myself in a flurry. Between juggling book writing, work projects, normal crazy family with three kids under five years old, I was running around like crazy. I couldn’t put my words to it but I didn’t like it.
And then, one week I decided I had enough. I said to myself, “This week, I’m going to slow down!” And I did.
One morning, when I would normally be running around on errands and busily bussing the girls to school, I decided to get up earlier so that I can go slower. In the middle of an errand, I decided to just sit down on a kitchen bench and do nothing.
Then something surprising happened.
As I was sitting there, my youngest daughter walks into the kitchen. She sees me sitting there, gently walks towards me, and lays her head on my lap. It was a kind and sweet gesture. I let out a deep sigh at how much I enjoyed this moment of connection with my child.
And then it hit me–this wouldn’t have happened if I was running around. The thought came to mind and I felt the Spirit of God teach me something in this moment. He said, “Busyness is the enemy of intimacy. One cannot be busy and intimate with those around them.”
That was such wisdom. It’s not a mystery that those who live busy lives, often feel loneliest. In all our task pursuing, checklist checking, driving, it is unending motion that keeps us from connecting deeply with those around us. We can easily lose connection with our loved ones, the people that God has put in our lives to love, care for, and enjoy. This is true, by the way, not just of the people around us, but our very relationship with God.
Here’s a question that perhaps someone hasn’t asked you:
Are you so busy that you can’t connect with the people God has placed around your life?
Is your schedule too full?
Are there not enough times when you sit still where people can enjoy your company?
Think on these questions as your orient your life.
You were made for greatness,
Phil
This is so timely! Yesterday evening I took my daughter on a "Mommy daughter date" (she had been asking for this a week or so.) In a house of 6, I knew spending quality alone time with me meant a lot to her. As we were driving off from our home she tells me how excited she is then grabs my hand to hold it and interlocked her fingers with mine. I felt like that was so sweet, special, and intimate that I started to cry a little bit, I assured her they were tears of joy. :) We had a great time! I could have washed dishes, clothes, worked on clients projects, or even scrolled online, but instead I stopped to spend quality time with my daughter.