On Saturday night I went to bed at a decent time, with plans to get up on time the next morning. That might sound like common sense, but it’s not always – or even often – what I do. Most Sunday mornings start off late and get more stressful every minute between rolling out of bed and stumbling into church.
But this week I was determined to be different.
And it was – but not in the way I expected. Despite going to bed a little early, I lay in bed for hours, WIDE AWAKE. This is not normal for me at all. I have family and friends who fight insomnia on a regular basis, but if I’m good at one thing, it’s sleeping. Just not Saturday night.
In hindsight I think the large quantities of tea and a before-bed Diet Dr. Pepper are mostly to blame. But the myriad thoughts and questions swirling in my mind didn’t help. More than other recent seasons, this back-to-school time has brought with it an overwhelming number of decisions to make.
Do we lead a small group this session?
Do we make Annalyn continue piano lessons?
Is it time to start potty training?
What should my next book be about?
These are big questions, you guys – and not issues that can be figured out overnight. Which is probably why, as I tried so hard to go to sleep (as if THAT ever works!) the other night, I focused instead on what my girls should be for Halloween and the possibility of throwing a Back to the Future party. Important things, you know?
No, not at all, but much easier and more fun to think about when I feel like I’m drowning in questions!
On top of those questions, I’m also in the process of working with a designer to refresh the look of this site – which brings with it lots of questions only I can answer.
[Side note: Speaking of my blog redesign, this site will be dark from August 31 to September 10. No new posts, no looking up old ones. And my plan is to reveal the new site on September 11. I’ll miss you while I’m gone, but we’ll have lots to discuss when I return!]
What do you do when you have a big or difficult decision to make?
My nature is to research, so I look up all the information I can find about the topic at hand. Sometimes that means crowd sourcing, like I did last week when I asked my Facebook friends for advice about getting my daughter to practice piano without yelling. Sometimes it means Pinterest surfing, like when I fell down the rabbit hole of Halloween costume ideas late Saturday night. Other times I will ask just a few trusted friends for their opinions, like when I wasn’t sure how to treat the stinking lice that showed up on my baby girl this summer.
From there I usually make a pros and cons chart, either mentally or literally. Some decisions feel so overwhelming and complicated that only the physical act of writing down the angles and considerations can help me sort things out.
But I know the best thing I can do is pray about it.
This month isn’t the first time it’s happened, so I shouldn’t be surprised that the lessons we’re teaching in Kids City at church are exactly what I need to hear. This month’s theme? WISDOM. Of course.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to you.
(James 1:5)
Just ask. I know that. I know that later in the book of James, it says “you do not have because you do not ask.” If I need wisdom, guidance, ANSWERS, then I simply need to ask for it.
So I am. I’m still researching (go ahead, ask me how many articles I’ve read about potty training readiness!) and seeking the counsel of a few friends, but I’m praying that God will guide my decisions and make my paths straight.
Annnnnd, I’m going to take a poll. Because I’ve got one more decision to make, on top of all those others. And for this one, I want YOUR opinion!
Can you help me decide: What should I write about for my 31 Days series in October?
If you don’t know about 31 Days, it’s a challenge that a lot of bloggers take in October to write about one topic for each day of the month. In 2012 I wrote about giving up on perfect, in 2013 I wrote about giving up on fairy tales, and last year I wrote about turning lemons into lemonade. But this year, well, I’m not sure which topic to choose. I’d love to hear what you think!
Which of these topics sound most interesting to you?
a. The intersection of pop culture and faith
b. #sorrynotsorry – Why I’m done apologizing (for some things)
c. Another series about life’s fairy tales
d. Something else entirely!
Please, tell us in the comments what sounds most interesting to you! (And if you’re doing a 31 Days series on your own blog, I’d love to hear what you’ll be writing about, too!)
So many good little nuggets in this post. I used to lay awake for hours before bed pretty frequently, but that has somehow magically stopped since I got married! Definitely grateful for that.
I’m excited to see the look of your new site! i’m actually working with a designer now to revamp mine too and can’t wait to see the finished product. As far as the series go…I think the idea of a series on apologies and the things we don’t need to apologize for sounds interesting! Lots of different ways you could take that too.
Have a great week! :)
Thanks, Lauren! Can’t wait to see your new site!
My mind gets going like that sometimes at night – and it’s so frustrating and counter-productive, really. Anyway – I hope that sleep comes easily for you this week.
And I vote for the intersection of pop culture and faith, especially posts on lessons learned about (friendship, joy, faith, letting go, moving on, forgiving, etc.) from (whatever TV show, movie, song). I think those are my favorite posts you write.
Oh, and I’m excited you’re thinking about your SECOND BOOK. I’m so looking forward to your first one. :)
Those are my favorite posts, too. I just haven’t figured out what to do with them yet. (Series, ebook, published book, I DON’T KNOW!)
My vote is for a series on apologies. All too often, I find myself apologizing for things that don’t really need an apology. Or for things that don’t really matter in the relationship.w
Exactly. That’s what I’m thinking, too, Becky! Thanks for voting! :)
My vote would be for B. It sounds the most interesting to me, but maybe challenging to find that many things, although I suppose that is sort of the point of the 31 days CHALLENGE.
Haha, that’s a good point. No matter what topic I pick, it will be a challenge to post something every day! :)
Hi Mary! Sorry to hear of the ruminations that kept you up all night… and I so get it! Hard to remember to Pray Without Ceasing when those things start to take over your mind. I will be praying for you too. AND, I am so glad you asked us about your challenge.
I would go with B also, because I think that ad is so “right on” and funny. Or what about reality vs fantasy. I have to ask myself a lot is it “real or not real” like in the Hunger Games book… Whatever you choose, I know you will do a good job at it Or at least make it real and funny and that is what really counts anyway.
Best, Lina
Thanks, Lina! Taking a poll has been fun. I love hearing what everyone is interested in reading!
Fairy tales!!! I am a sucker for them…
ME TOO. :)
Hello, Mary! Lovely to “meet” you. Oh, the “I don’t know what to do” syndrome! We are living that with one big piece of the pie chart of our family’s Most Important Stuff right now. In the meantime, we’re trying to just do the next thing…the next thing we’ve already committed to doing, the next thing we think God wants us to do, the next thing that seems right to do given the light we’ve got today. As for your upcoming series, I’m going to add my voice to the #sorrynotsorry chorus! Thanks for asking! :)
Hi Elizabeth! Yes, just doing the next right thing is a great strategy. I need to remember that now when I feel overwhelmed!
Mary, you need some melatonin and deep breathing exercises. :)
I hate it when my mind is racing a million miles an hour when I should be resting. And, the older I get, the more frequently I seem to wake up in the middle of the night. Boo hoo
When I have a heavy decision to make, I usually hit Proverbs in my quiet time for a few days and pray plenty. God usually has a way of throwing me a bone to point me in the right direction.
I vote for A.
Praying your sleep like a baby tonight. Hugs
I’ve slept pretty well since that night, thankfully. Although deep breathing and Proverbs never hurts. ;)
Those questions always seem so much bigger and worrisome at night! Usually one good talk with the husband used to help me get it all untangled. Hope daylight helped you with that as well!
As for 31 Days, I’m going to go with sorry not sorry. I’d love to see how you develop that!
Yes, I have an “appointment” scheduled with my husband this weekend. I’m sure that together we can figure it out!