The Test of the Margins

Oh, the sneaky little thoughts that creep into my head. I can rationalize them quite well, but they are the little thoughts that undo the larger picture--in this case, my decision to increase the margins in my life by limiting my errands and increasing my day at home. This all with the purpose of focusing my limited energy on what is really important and to help heal my body.

The sneaky thoughts start like this, "These are very short errands certainly I can do one more." or "That person will be so blessed if I drop this off at her work." or "My husband mentioned the car needs oil and I should stop to get it."

If I am honest, my thoughts sound like my kids as they push the boundary we have provided for them--for their safety, growth in character, and our family's sanity.

So, I did the two errands and since one was at the post office, I sent the small package to my friend instead of hand delivering it. I did not stop for the motor oil and had to content myself that someone else could pick up the motor oil.

What this all meant for the rest of my day is that I could "tackle" the growing pile of financial papers, finish my online Christmas shopping, tend to a few other home tasks, interact with my son, and go on a date with my husband to celebrate our 32nd anniversary!

My tendency to rationalize around the margins is part of my human nature. Though, in this case, my margins are not based on scripture (but maybe some wisdom) it would not be sin to deviate. However, it might cause me to miss out on what I should be doing or learning or healing.  I am also aware that I can have this tendency to rationalize when it is an issue of following God's command: trust, pray without ceasing, give thanks, be kind, take captive every thought to Christ . . . Please forgive me, Lord, for rationalizing and excusing my nibbling at the edges of Your plan for me.

The EXCEPTIONS allowed may lead to EXCELLENCE denied.

Margins

You know those blank spaces around a printed page? They are called "margins" and they serve the purposes of clarity, thought, reflection, and a brief respite for your eyes. Without margins, the words would run together and sometimes off the page (depending on how the printer feeds the paper), you would have no place to jot down a star next to an important thought and your eyes would tire more easily.

Does this sound like your life right now? I know that we have battled the lack of margins in our lives and a few years back, my husband and I read the wonderful book

Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Richard A. Swenson

 

which explores our tendency to push to the edges of our lives and leave no margin for the unexpected, unplanned, important, and restful events that do come up in our world. 

Last week, God showed me that I had been pushing the edges of the margins in my present circumstances: specifically, I need to plan two full days at home and limit myself to two errands a day when I am out. This is hard to face because I used to be able to tackle SO MUCH more and it seems like some errands are so short that I certainly could combine them, couldn't I? But with my health situation, changes must be made and I must recognize that my margins are different. 

This forces me to prioritize and plan better. It requires me to ask for help or decide that there is another way I could handle that particular errand. I also have realized again, how sneaky I can be in calling an errand something else--so I try to be VERY broad in what fits an errand: medical appointments, library trips, filling the gas tank, going to martial arts . . . really anything that takes me out of the home is an errand with the exception of a few refreshing events.

 

I wish I would have evaluated this sooner and not pushed into the necessary margins of my life. It is easy to say, "but I cannot cut back on anything!", yet, I needed to ask if I was really honoring God in walking along an edge that removed the protection that He desires. Can you relate? Take a step of faith and put back a margin--then see how God blesses you and provides when you do walk in faith while staying out of those margins!

Surprised by Math

One transition I did not expect was a change of heart towards math. My  head spins at numbers. Maybe this is why I do not care to shop or work on our budget or pay bills? I did diligently endure our mathematics lessons in our homeschooling but it was only a high priority because I knew it was important and marveled at those who found math intriguing.  Honestly, though, I always thought math was missing something important but had no clue as to what that was.

Then a friend put this little book into my hands: Beyond Numbers--A Practical Guide to Teaching Math Biblically by Katherine Loop. The author builds the case against our spiritually neutral view towards math and how we, as believers, need to use math to understand God more deeply, worship Him more thoroughly, and honor Him through service. In essence, we can use and teach math in a way that fulfills the chief purpose of man,"to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

I love that the Miss Loop addresses the problems with just adding a Scripture verse  or the dangers of inserting "spiritual" parallels to a curriculum to make it "Christian". She instead goes to the foundation of teaching math biblically: our focus, our presentation, and our application. God's very character is displayed by math concepts and applications because it is His creation and this is how it needs to be taught.

So, if you are like me and avoid math, read this book to bring a glimmer of hope and purpose. If you delight in numbers, this book will bring a new depth to that delight. If you are teaching anyone math or thinking math is neutral, you have to read this book to protect the hearts and minds of yourself and those you love.

http://www.christianperspective.net/math.html