Before You Fill Your Calendar, Fill Your Heart
If you're anything like me, this time of year feels like a whirlwind.
The last few weeks of summer always seem to fill up faster than I expect. Vacations, sports, back to school shopping, open houses, appointments, and trying to squeeze in "just one more" summer memory before the season slips away.
Before we know it, our calendars are overflowing, the backpacks are packed, and we're sending our babies back to school wondering where the summer went.
I'll be honest. I wanted to write about this because I needed the reminder myself.
Lately, I've found myself feeling more focused on my planner than my Bible. More concerned about making sure everyone gets where they need to be than making sure my own heart is where it needs to be.
As I was praying about this, one thought kept coming to mind:
The busiest seasons are often when we need Jesus the most, not the least.
Yet those are usually the very seasons when He's the first thing we unintentionally push aside.
Jesus knew this tendency long before we did.
In Luke 10:38 through 42, we read the story of Mary and Martha. Martha wasn't doing anything wrong. She was serving, working, and taking care of what needed to be done. Many of us can relate to her. There are meals to cook, laundry to fold, practices to get to, emails to answer, and people depending on us every day.
Meanwhile, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and simply be with Him.
Jesus didn't tell Martha to stop serving. He gently reminded her that she was anxious and distracted by many things, while Mary had chosen what was most important.
That story hits differently during busy seasons.
Because most of us aren't choosing between good and bad things. We're choosing between good things and the best thing.
Jesus first.
Matthew 6:33 says,
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you."
Notice Jesus doesn't say, "Seek Me after you've finished your to do list."
He says, "Seek first."
When our schedules become full again, let's not allow our relationship with God to become what gets squeezed out.
I've been thinking about what that looks like in a practical way, because let's be honest, life isn't slowing down anytime soon. So instead of waiting for a season that feels less busy, I'm choosing to invite God into the one I'm already in.
Here are a few simple things I'm making a priority.
When my daughter and I are driving from one activity to the next, we're filling the car with worship music. Sometimes we sing, sometimes we listen quietly, but either way we're filling our minds with truth instead of stress. It's one small way for her to hear about the love of God, and for both of us to find peace in the middle of a busy day.
I'm also trying to wake up just a few minutes earlier. Not for an hour-long Bible study or because I have it all together, but simply to spend a few quiet minutes with the Lord before the demands of the day begin. Even five minutes in God's Word is better than none. Those few moments have a way of changing my perspective before the rest of the day starts pulling at my attention.
At bedtime, we're making prayer a priority. We thank God for the day, pray for our family, teachers, friends, and ask Him to give us peace, wisdom, strength, and joy for whatever tomorrow holds.
These aren't complicated habits, but they remind our children, and ourselves, that we aren't meant to carry life's busy seasons on our own.
We're meant to rely on Him.
Psalm 90:12 says,
"Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts."
That verse reminds me that our days are precious. They'll always be full of something. The question is whether they'll be filled with the things that matter most.
As you look ahead to the next month, imagine what it would feel like to spend just a few extra minutes with Jesus each day.
Imagine starting your mornings with His Word before checking your notifications.
Imagine praying with your family instead of ending the day completely exhausted.
Imagine facing the same busy schedule, but with His peace leading the way.
Now imagine trying to walk through it all without Him.
Which version of this season do you want?
Friend, none of us will navigate this school year perfectly. We'll forget things, run late, burn dinner, and probably miss a few appointments along the way. But we don't have to do it all in our own strength.
Let's be women who fill our hearts before we fill our calendars.
Let's choose His presence before productivity.
Because while summer fades and school routines change, the peace that comes from walking closely with Jesus never goes out of season.