The Art of Saying 'No'.

'Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.'     Psalm 116:7

Saying, 'no', has always been very, very difficult for me.  I like to help people.  I like to do things with people.  I enjoy making things for folks and seeing them enjoy what I made.  But......I also like to be liked.  And sometimes the easiest way to be not 'not liked' is to give people what they want, even if it is very taxing on me.  So, I say 'yes' to things I know right away I should have said 'no' to.  And then I dread what I've committed to do.  And then I get angry that I'm doing it.  Then I feel guilty for being angry.  

Sigh.  What a cycle.

BUT......with that being said, I have been very brave lately.  I've said 'no' several times to things that were certainly not bad.  Actually, they were fun things that I probably would have enjoyed if I had the time to really do them right.  But, really.....even if something is 'good'.......should I always say yes?

I listened to a great sermon by our pastor the other Sunday about saying 'no' to good things so you have the space to say 'yes' to great things.  I thought that was super well put.  Why feel guilty about trying to create some space in your life?  Life is short and the older I get, the faster time flies.  So, his statement really helped me to realized that the 'no's' I just gave out were, indeed, right for me......even though I struggled with not committing to these 'good' things.  I needed to make some space for more rest, more time at my kids school, more time with my husband, more rest and.......did I say more rest?  Yes......more rest!!!!

I have people weekly tell me, 'I don't know how you do it!  You are like a machine!'.  

And I jokingly answer, 'Lot's of coffee during the day and lot's of wine at night.'

Ha ha.  But.......it's true!  I have to have something to keep me going through my chaotic days and then something to wind me down at night so I can sleep.  I rarely fall asleep before midnight even though I may lay down at 10:30.  My brain is on hyperdrive and my body and mind are paying for it.  I'm tired.  No.....I'm exhausted.

So.....I'm saying 'no' to good things so I can say 'yes' to great things.  Like (you know what I'm going to say here!) .....rest!

I want to watch teenage mutant turtles with my kids without a computer on my lap.  Well....not really but they want me to and I can get a little down time and snuggle time while I'm watching with them.  

Kevin wants to teach me all about football.  I don't really want to learn about football but I want more time with my husband so.....darn it all......I'm going to learn about football!  And if he's really into the game and not big on teaching me that day, I do love snoozing on the couch to the sound of a game announcer.  Ah....sweet rest!

So....don't be afraid to say 'no'.  Sometimes it's the best thing you can do for your family and yourself.  

Now, go get some rest.