Flat Tires and Comets

:After becoming director of a pregnancy center, someone once said, “We want you to be a steady light ─ we don’t want you to be a comet streaking across the sky that is here for only a short time.”

There have been times when I have felt like I’m running out of gas.  So much so, that at one point, I thought about quitting at the center.  I called a mentor who is also a close friend.  She is my “go to” person when I need sound advice. 

“Where are you on a scale of one to ten with regard to your well-being for the following areas?"

1. Mental

2. Emotional

3. Physical

4. Relational

5. Spiritual

“I think I’m at a 6 for all of them, except spiritually I would say I’m at an 8 ─ but I’m having a hard time hearing God right now.”

She said if I was at a 6, my tires were 40% deflated.  She asked if I was okay with that.

“Yes, but I know from experience that tires don’t last long when they’re deflated.  And, of course, when tires are flat, you don’t go anywhere.”

As it turned out, I didn’t need to quit.  I needed a break.  And interestingly, big things started happening after the much-needed time off.  

Since then, I am forever cognizant of “burnout”.

At a recent conference, I listened to the words of a wise young man.  He told the story of a group of pioneers making the trek across the country to California.  They made sure they honored the Sabbath and rested every seventh day.  But they heard there were signs that winter was fast approaching.  An argument ensued.  It was decided they would split into two groups.  One part of the group would keep resting every seventh day, but the others would travel every day to ensure they crossed the mountains before winter.  Is the story of the tortoise and the hare coming to mind?

You guessed it.  The group that kept resting every seventh day made it first.  Why?  They had more energy to travel the six days per week . . .

That story resonated with me as I peered into my fuel tank which was, once again, running on fumes.

I decided right then and there to extend my upcoming time-off and take a summer sabbatical, no matter how much it cost me.  So as of 4:01 pm today, the resting starts.

Are you feeling tired?  Are you feeling like you’re hanging on by your fingernails?  Are you feeling like your light is extinguishing?  If you are unable to take an extended break from work, at least try to take one day off per week and RELAX . . .  Go for a walk . . .  Smell the flowers . . .  Look at the stars . . .

I plan on spending time looking at the stars and comets through my telescope.  I love comets.  But I don’t want to be one of them.