The countdown began about a week before Spring Break this year. I wasn’t counting down until Spring Break (that’s just a mere week long break) but instead was eagerly anticipating the mother load of all breaks … SUMMER! As the school year drew closer to the end I felt as if I could barely make it to the last day of school. I couldn’t wait for school to be out and be free from alarm clocks, schedules, homework and activities! I was ready for a nice peaceful (with 4 kids . . . go ahead, laugh) summer of relaxation.
It seems like I was just in countdown to summer mode and yet suddenly summer is half way over and I’m exhausted. We’ve been going non-stop since school got out and had very little time to rest it seems. Between swimming lessons, Bible Schools, play-dates, Bible Camp, adopting a dog and Soccer Camp I am beginning to need a little rest! Sometimes I get to going so fast that I go in auto-pilot mode and I feel like my plane is slowly drifting off of air traffic control’s radar. I feel like I’m so busy that I can’t hear from the Lord and surely He can’t see me with my lightning speed movements! But thankfully, this is not the case. Even in our busyness in the name of fun, He is right there with us. We’ve had lots of fun and spent lots of time with friends and family but just to be honest, I am ready for a vacation from my vacation!  But in reality I would not change a thing about my crazy busy life (well, except add more sleep and make it a national law that no one can wake up before 7am, but that’s another story). Sometimes though we just need to take a short breather (with a latte in hand of course) and realign our focus.  When I do this I am reminded how He delights in me and loves for me to have fun with my kids and that well, He pretty much is the one that gave them to me to enjoy!  When I shift my focus from busyness to the goodness of the Lord I find myself praising Him and suddenly my exhaustion turns to energy and my hurricane of life slowly feels like peaceful waves dancing on the shore. It is possible to be in the middle of complete chaos and feel complete peace and serenity when our focus is on Him. I love that no matter what season of life it is, (winter, spring, summer or faaall . . . all you gotta do is call . . . Oops, sorry. I started singing.) we cannot escape from the Holy Spirit.
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” Psalm 139:1-10
Maybe you’re like me and you’ve been feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation or just a vacation period! Today I challenge you to realign your focus. In Psalm 139:17 it says “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered.” He delights in you today. He can’t stop thinking about YOU. What if we did the same for Him each day? If our thoughts about God could not be numbered how small our momentary struggles would seem. Take a few minutes today and go on a vacation with the Father.  Spend some time praising Him and thanking Him for His great love for you. I assure you it will energize you more than any 10-day beach vacation you could ever go on.
Precious Father, thank you so much that you love your children so much that you care about every tiny detail of our lives. Thank you that you love vacations and fun and that you go along with us. Lord, help us not to get so caught up in busyness and fun that we take our eyes off you. Lord realign our focus today on you and your great love! Amen.
1st of all, I can't believe that with all you have had going on with this launch you had a blog due at the same time!!! 2nd, I so relate to this!! It's like you were writing my thoughts. Thanks for the reminder and the encouragement.
Rebecca
You continue to amaze me with your writing – beautifully done!!! So thankful you inherited your gift for writing from Dad and not me since I grazed the pantry and gained 10 pounds every time I had to write a paper in college!!! You have once again pointed me back to Him to realign my focus – I needed that reminder. We love you!!! Mom
Kelli, I can so relate. Great article.
My AMAZING WIFE, I am always in awe with how you get it all done with a smile on your face and a sweetness in your voice. Thanks for always being an example of letting God use the best in you to bring out the best in this world. I'm so blessed to be a part of everything you have accomplished this year. Love ya!
I always say summer is a different kind of busy. I enjoy it because I get a break from a routine I have done for 9 months but I find myself busier than I would like. One vacation we go on each summer is to a family camp and it is there than I become unwound and realize just how tight I was wound. Every year I try to come up with a plan on how I can achieve that in my everyday life. I like to think I have progressed in achieving that but each year reminds me that I really have miles to go. God is good, He is patience and I am grateful for the rest He gives. Great read and great job DIB on your new online magazine!
Wow,,you must be reading my mind…having my four grandkids in tow this summer has been non-stop as well…looking up to the Heavens at times and saying,,,Gimme a break, Lord!!! But in actuality, it's all good..He enables us to carry on and do what we are supposed to do on any given day..winter, spring, summer or fall…Blessed be the name of the Lord!!
Such a delightful article to read in the middle of my sometimes hectic summer "vacation"!! Thank you for the reminder that no matter what kind of chaos is going on around us, the Lord can bring peace in our hearts.
Love you Kelli!!
~Maree
Love it Kelli! I agree with Rebecca, you've been so busy I have no idea how you did this too…. Hopefully you can rest now! Blessings!
Such a good post for my "season" of life. I had lost this focus until about 3 weeks ago and BOY HOWDY! When God shows up, He shows up and He shows off!! Good word today, my friend…good word! Love the new website!!
Great article! Blessings and thanks:)
Grateful for the verses you shared…they really really blessed my heart today!! Thanks!!
Kelli, I think you’ve touched on one of the biggest challenges for Moms with young children–how to stay sane and keep perspective when it’s hard to get enough alone time to go to the bathroom! And I think you’ve also expressed really well the answer to that dilemma–the grace of God! He is so ready to meet us where we are, and He understands what it’s like to take care of needy children.
The verses from Ps 139 are some of my favorites. Good post!
such a great reminder, Kelli! Always love reading and hearing what God puts on your heart….Much love, Beth
Thanks Rebecca! I'm starting to think I thrive in chaos.
Kidding! Love you and thanks for always being so encouraging!
Thanks Mom! Love you too and wish Dad could read and discuss what God does in my heart. That would be awesome! And you are a great writer! Love!
Thanks Renee! <3
Thanks sweet husband! And thanks for not mentioning the times I "get it all done" with a non-smile on my face!
Love you and I couldn't do it without you! Thanks for your amazing web skillz on this beautiful site! Love love love you!
Thanks for the great reminder that God loves that we have fun and He loves us even when we aren't able to fit in the quiet time we so desire to have with Him! He is so good and so merciful!! Thank You Lord!!
Thanks Julie! <3
I love your perspective Donna! I agree . . . Blessed be the name of the Lord! <3
Momma's of 4 unite! Thanks Maree! Love you! <3
Thanks Veronica! It has been a "fun busy" at least!
<3
Thanks Kym! Can't wait to talk soon and hear more about "when God showed up"!
Love you!
Thanks Joni! <3
Thanks Amy! Grateful for you and your generous heart! <3
Thanks Babs! And I love that you always have a take away line! <3
So you mean people go to the bathroom alone?!?
I am SO thankful for the grace of God! I'm not sure how people that don't know about Him and his amazing grace make it! <3
Girl, you are speaking my language when you mentioned no laundry to do!
Thanks for your sweet words! <3
Thanks Beth!! Love you! <3
Ris! I am so thankful to have walked this crazy peaceful chaos of busyness with you! You are precious and I'm still amazed at how God has knit our little lives together! Your friendship is a true answered prayer . . . one of those prayers that you don't even know what you're praying for exactly but when He gives it you know it's from Him and truly what you needed!
Loved hanging out with you and your mens today as always! Love, love, love you!
Thank you Sherry!
Ahh Kelli, I think sometimes finding that peace at home is the BEST thing Ever. Besides just packing for vacation & coming home to laundry and trying to get everyone back on a routine makes you ready for another vaca-it’s a crazy cycle.
I think it's the laundry that makes me crazy!
Maybe I could just hire your husband! 
xoxo!
I loved this! It's exactly what I needed to read today. I've been thinking all week that I need to refocus and just spend some quiet time re-prioritizing. Reading this really confirmed that. Thank you for encouraging me today. (AND I LOVE THE NEW SITE!!!!!!!!!!)
Beautiful and well-written post! And Psalm 139 is one of my favorites.
Thanks Stacy! And I'm glad you like the new site! xo!
Thanks Tirzah and it's one of my fav's too! <3
I just loved this Kelli. You inspire me!
Awwww, thanks Mel! And hope you've had a happy happy birthday! xoxo!
I love that you break out in song, even when you write. ME TOO!!! Beautiful reminder to focus on the eternal while reveling in the temporal!
Kelli, great article girl! I definitely needed this. Adjusting from one to two kids has definitly put me on auto pilot this last year, really. I feel so far from God sometimes, but I do think about HIM often through the day thanking HIM for my amazing gifts he's given me. So, thank you, because I feel better now, not so guilty and no so far from HIM!
Thanks Bethani! <3
Thank you Mechelle! Thank goodness for His grace and that He doesn't expect a 30 minute quiet time every day! He just wants our hearts! <3