2002 Devotion 35

{WELCOME}

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[ball & bat]

All eyes are on me as I pick up the bat.
I hit the ball hard and run to first base.
Next batter up hits the ball, too.
Second runs to third and I take his place.
Next batter up hits a home run.
'Round and 'round and 'round we race.
Call "time out"; I need to get off.
I can't keep up the frantic pace!

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MATT. 8:18 & 24 "Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. And, behold there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves; but he was asleep."

MARK 6:31 & 32 "And he said unto them, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while": for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately."

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[carousel] Do you ever wish you could stop the world and get off? We let our lives get so busy we're frantically trying to get everything done and we don't have time to finish anything. It feels like riding a carousel. It keeps getting faster and faster and the music keeps getting louder and louder...sound familiar? I can remember times when I would have three or four projects going at one time and wouldn't be doing any of them well; yet, if someone called and asked me to take on something else, I just couldn't say no. I needed to feel needed. Then one day I asked myself, "What About Me?" I needed some "time out!"

If you are a busy person with a job and a family, you will never FIND time out; you must TAKE it! If you are a normal person, you will feel guilty the first few times you say no to something someone else thinks you should do, but you must if you are to take time out for yourself. It will seem to you that you are being selfish but you're not! By taking time for YOU and limiting your projects to only what you have time for, you will not only feel better but but you will also do a better job, and maybe even finish the jobs you are doing.

Choose your relaxation time wisely. PLAN your time so you are refreshed afterward instead of even more tired than before. For example: a family camping trip where you are doing all the packing, cooking and watching the kids is NOT taking time for yourself...then you have to come home and unpack everything and do all the laundry. A simple bubble bath would be preferable! Or even relaxing with a good book or taking a walk in the park. Mark the scriptures above in your bible, then, if you start to feel guilty, read them to remind yourself that Jesus took time out while he was here on earth! And remember, even God took a whole day to rest after He finished His creation! You may not can STOP the world and get off, but you CAN call "time out"!