Do you get caught up in your “to do” list? Do you feel guilty for not working and feel guilty for not spending enough time with family? Do you feel guilty for both at the same time. I admit it. I do. It is really easy for me to put work and the “to do” list before everything else including family. Summer is when that becomes glaringly apparent. My husband and kids are off for the summer while I’m still full-time plus.

I long to play and have some quality family time. With one son headed to high school and one to middle school, making the most of family fun has become a priority. Having fun is also good for a marriage. It is a way to rekindle and reconnect with each other. So why is it so hard for me to have fun?

Recently we sent the boys to the farm to be with cousins and learn how to shovel poop :0)
That meant hubby and I had the potential for two whole days for just us. This was a huge gift of time IF I can let go of work for that long. I told hubby that I would not do any work those two days, but we have to plan something fun. It didn’t have to be extravagant. I just wanted to go and do something.

I planned accordingly. I worked ahead where I could. I also set aside time when we returned to read papers and prepare for the classes I’m teaching. We decided to go to the cabin with a pit stop for a round of golf. A round of golf is definitely my idea of how to have fun.

As soon as we got in the car, I started to worry that I hadn’t set aside enough time to be ready for the coming week. I started thinking about the next weeks class. I tried to engage my husband in some good old-fashioned brainstorming possible class activities. He immediately scolded me and reminded me of my commitment of not working for two days.

Psalm 116:7 (MSG)
I said to myself, “Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings. Soul you have been rescued from death.

This scripture reminds me of the blessing of my family and my marriage. Part of the reason they are a blessing is what I put into it. What God has given me is a blessing, but if I don’t nurture those relationships, I will lose those blessings. I believe I am honoring God when I honor those I love. Needless to say that was the end my attempts to work for those two days. Honestly, it is good to feel rested and ready to get back to work. I lost the round of golf but had a lot of fun on a beautiful day with my husband.

Are you like me? Do you struggle to pause the “to do” list and have fun? I need to remind myself to nurture those blessings in my life. I don’t want to lose them. They are precious to me. Having them in my life nurtures my soul.

What do you do to have fun? How do you keep your blessings a priority? Share your thoughts here. We all need encouragement and more ideas.