Don’t Give Your Family Your Leftovers

The useful part

There were texts I hadn't answered, emails still sitting in my inbox, an upcoming retreat to plan, and students I needed to follow up with. I know the familiar thoughts: "I should answer one more text." "I should prepare a little more." "I need to be available." "I can get One. I've had to wrestle with the reality that my family doesn't need the version of me that's left after everyone else has had my best.

How it works

• Today, I shut my computer at church with plenty of work still unfinished.
• For years, I've said I don't really believe in work-life balance.
• Other weeks, student ministry demands more: camp week, retreat weekends, or seasons when there is just a lot going on.
• I don't think the answer is trying to divide our time perfectly between the two.
• I think it's learning to recognize the season we're in and putting healthy rhythms in place that help us love our families well while still doing the ministry God has called us to do.

What to take from it

They needed their mom and wife to be engaged, intentional, and present. These are five things I keep coming back to when ministry starts taking over more of my life than it should. Look Honestly at Your Calendar Practically speaking, look at your calendar.

Details worth keeping

I could have easily stayed another two hours and still found more to do. Done." In ministry, there will always be one more thing we could do. Some weeks my family simply needs more of me.