Ugh. Looking at our family calendar was giving me a headache. And a slightly sick-to-my-stomach feeling. How did so many things creep onto one page?

Then I saw the tiny square that said Christmas. Nothing else was written around the word. The rest of the space was empty.

I could hear a soul-soothing Hallelujah Chorus floating gently through the air. Beautiful. Like the calendar was forcing me to pause, rest, and focus on the real reason. The main attraction. THE GIFT of the season.

But the more I looked at that one joyous blank square, the more my mind tossed and turned. The reality of that one little space in a vast sea of busyness prickled at my heart.

Never in a million years would I have guessed that I was a slave to my schedule. Sleep-deprived, yes. For years now. But over-scheduled, no.

But there it was. In black and white. My schedule was officially controlling me rather than me controlling the schedule.

What will you say “No” to this December? Your words might be just the thing our over-scheduled hearts need to hear. Thanks in advance for your courage in sharing! xo

• About
• Latest Posts

Follow

Anne-Renee Gumley

Anne-Renee is a full-time mom who works part-time at her family's party store. She has two children who keep her laughing, a husband who keeps her smiling, and an itch for writing that just won't go away.

Follow

Latest posts by Anne-Renee Gumley (see all)

• The Courageous No - November 30, 2021
• The Lonely Mom - November 16, 2021
• An Invitation to Pray for Your Girl - November 2, 2021