Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 109 - How Your Productivity is Holding You Back
Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 109 – How Your Productivity is Holding You Back
Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast offers you the biblical tools to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture.
Just a quick reminder as we start, if you enjoy Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episodes, would you please share this episode or others with a friend or family member? When you graciously take a moment to do that, and leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast. When you do, you’re helping affect generations for Jesus.
Now on to this episode about how your productivity is holding you back..
My middle daughter and I had a lovely, blessed trip to Florida in mid-September 2024. We went to a Christian business conference together and it could not have been a better trip. We were so grateful for the time together, the things we learned, and seeing friends we only knew online in person. Plus, we had the bonus of meeting new friends. It was such a perfect trip full of unexpected blessings.
Except, about a week after I returned home I got very sick. I don’t think it was from the trip itself, although I know my resistance was very low. Truth be told, I only received about 2 hours of sleep per night and wasn’t able to eat as much as normal due to food allergies and intolerances. Of course, we also had two plane flights…and you know they say it’s a germ fest on a plane and in the airport.
Also, the Monday after I returned, I had a well woman visit at the doctor’s office. I’m guessing that in my lowered resistance state I probably picked up a bug there. Regardless, when I say I was sick, I mean I was knocked off my feet and madeto rest. It turned out that I had pneumonia. During this time, I also found out that I have mild heart disease. In fact, it was at a scheduled CT cardiac scan that they discovered both.
Let me just admit that I don’t like to rest. I love to sleep, but whenever I wake up often through the night, I always seek the clock to see if it is late enough to get up for the day. It just feels like resting is such a waste of time. With more awake hours, I could get to see and enjoy my family and do the work God has inspired and purposed me to allow Him to complete through me. I love being awake!
However, when I was sick with pneumonia, I felt like I was suddenly lazy and unproductive. It was ultra challenging to come home from such a dynamic business conference with so much new knowledge and inspiration, and ideas I wanted to implement, but then be forced to stop and rest.
Because I didn’t want to be isolated from my girls during the day, I would usually take several naps a day on a large chaise in our great room off the kitchen. Our kitchen is a central hub that’s occupied most of the day by someone. By staying in the great room, I could be near them if I was needed, which took away some of the guilt I felt for being unable to do my usual chores and tasks. I could hear everyone visiting and feel like I wasn’t missing anything. Resting there also allowed me to see the world and not feel as isolated. The chaise sits beside a row of floor to ceiling windows where I could easily observe the weather, nature, and the neighbors.
I was sick with that crazy pneumonia for nine weeks total! Of course, after about a month I was very slowly getting better every day, but it was extremely slow. I feel like I missed two months of my life. During most of that time I was too weak to take my usual daily walks with my middle daughter. The beautiful fall weather turned from the comfortable temps with beautiful leaves to chillier conditions with falling leaves and acorns crunching under my feet on the sidewalk by the time I was able to participate in one of my favorite activities again.
Because life was literally passing me by daily, I knew I needed to humbly acknowledge that there must be a reason I was made to rest. Since I’m not a nervous or anxious person, I didn’t believe He was teaching me to relax, but there had to be many lessons God wanted me to learn. I decided to stop wishing I could get more work done and look for the opportunities He gave me while I was down. I also began appreciating my usual physical activity levels. Despite being an older mom, I usually get through the days with enough energy to keep up with my active girls. For some reason, God was calling me to focus not on them, but on myself.
As I prayed for God to keep my attitude pleasant and my mind fixed on Him, I saw little ways He was blessing me daily. I was able to focus on things I didn’t normally have time to do with my business, and God provided people to help in ways that were nothing short of miraculous. His personal provisions proved that He was in charge and still wanted me to pursue the calling He gave me. His methods were perfect encouragement when I felt useless. He also showed me how He had already been caring for and protecting me when I received news from the doctor’s office about my heart health.
Considering all that was happening made me understand that I didn’t usually take time to rest. My lack of focus on rest made me realize that there were things God commanded in the Bible that I was simply ignoring. All in all, I am a very balanced person. I plan my days so that I don’t work in ways that take away from my family, I make sure to read the Bible daily, study the Bible, and also enjoy a daily Bible study and prayer time with my family. Yet I had never studied rest and what God desired in that area.
As you plan your new year, I want to share the ways God spoke to me and help you to make time to rest deeper in God for yourself. Society always shows us ways to do more, not less. Social media can make us believe we’re less than. Sometimes (like me) we’re our own worst critic because we feel lazy or unproductive if we take time to rest. But we must remember, even God rested. You have permission and a commandmentfrom your Heavenly Father to do what He did on the seventh day. Rest.
Let’s look at the perfect model and see how we can mold our lives more closely to His.
The first thing I think of is how God Himself modeled rest. On the seventh day of creation He rested. Do you think God needed to rest? Definitely not. The Maker of Heaven and Earth modeled how He wants us to live.
Genesis 2:2-3 says, “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done.”
Knowing that God prioritized and mentored the act of rest for us, I think it’s important that we ensure we know the full meaning of the word. The dictionary definition of “rest” is: “refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor, relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs, or a period or interval of inactivity, repose, solitude, or tranquility.” One final statement on the meaning of the word “rest” carries special importance. It means “mental or spiritual calm.”
If you look at the life of Jesus, you see that He also modeled rest. Mark 6:30-32 says, “The apostles returned to Jesus and told Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.”
If we consider rest the way we see the Great I Am or Jesus do, we realize that rest is a physical and spiritual renewal for our mind, body, and soul. When we rest, we are able to reflect, renew, and rejuvenate.
In our society, busy is a sort of status symbol. We wear the label “busy” with pride. On the flip side, rest is often thought of as laziness or incompetence. Then, the way we view rest is complicated by the weariness that comes from not resting.
Think about how difficult it is to make good choices when you’re tired. For me, it’s most challenging to think wisely when I’m tired or hungry. Our health can easily decline when we don’t get enough rest. Our minds don’t work as well when we’re sluggish or worn out. I’ve found that I also eat more when I don’t get enough rest. I haven’t researched to see if I’m accurate, but I know my body. When I don’t get enough sleep, I crave more food like my body is trying to fuel up to stay awake.
Another truth about tired is that when we don’t get enough rest we tend to get less done. Why? We simply can’t operate with optimal energy or enthusiasm when we haven’t gotten the rest we were fashioned and mentored to need.
It’s really another reminder of the Bible verse in Galatians 6:7, which says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” When we choose to get little rest, we reap little.
I find it interesting that the word “rest” is mentioned 548 times. Why would God model rest, command rest, and have the Bible speak of rest if it wasn’t important?
Another beautiful truth to remember is that Jesus didn’t seek solace simply to be alone. Christ sought solace in the presence of God alone.
Jesus mentored the way to rest. He mentored the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He showed us that rest means more than sleep. Rest is more than mending physically, mentally, or emotionally. Rest brings us spiritual healing from the Great Physician.
Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Because we live post Jesus, we now have the teachings of the New Testament and the Old. Of course, there are things in the Old Testament that modern day believers no longer have to follow. We are freed from rituals and practices though life in Christ. We don’t have to make burnt offerings because Jesus became the offering for God. But there is also much wisdom found in the pages and words of the Old Testament. We aren’t bound by the laws of the Israelites, but we also find blessed significance in the laws we have learned. Just as we don’t throw out the commandments God made to not steal or kill, we can step into the promise of rest on the Sabbath, as well as incorporating patterns of rest through our week.
Here are twelve steps to help you focus on what matters for eternity and gain the rest that honors and pleases your Heavenly Father.
1. Pray for God to show you where you need to step into the promise of rest with Him.
2. Humbly submit to Christ as Savior and release burdens to God.
3. Prioritize the Bible. Read or listen daily.
4. Stay connected to God through prayer.
5. Work to keep regular sleeping habits.
6. Don’t eat heavily right before bed and get enough healthy foods and drinks.
7. Don’t sleep with your phone on and in your room.
8. Get out in nature regularly (if not daily).
9. Use gifts and talents God gave you. That’s makes “work” a blessing.
10. Use discernment and prayer before scheduling or committing to activities and learn how to say “no” without guilt and with guidance from God.
11. Practice Sabbath rest. Find a day or portion of the day to rest, or commit to resting after church on Sundays. It doesn’t mean you have to eat bon bons all day and do nothing, but you can. I found that doing activities or hobbies I don’t usually make time for are very enjoyable on a Sunday afternoon.
12. Enjoy time with God and family as you pray, play, and rest.
As you pray over this list, God will expose areas He wants you to focus on. None of us will find perfect rest, especially if we’re not prioritizing the practice. But God is good. He desires that we seek and follow rest as He modeled and He will bless the efforts you give for Him.
It’s such a blessing to look at the life of Jesus and find better ways to follow Him. He truly is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We’re so blessed to have a mentor to follow to become more Christlike every day. As this new year begins, enjoy the fruits of rest physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Your productivity won’t hold you back as you try to spin your wheels through fatigue or burnout. Instead, you’ll learn to rest in Him and enjoy fellowship and peace by slowing down. By the end of the year you will be much better rested and restored in the Lord with a renewed soul that rests in Him and makes you even more productive.
Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Great I Am. We are so thankful that You sent Jesus to show us the way to You and create a path to Your arms. Thank you for Your sacrifice that we may live and have abundant lives. Please equip us to rest in the ways You desire. May we slow down to live more fully aware of the ways You provide and protect. May we slow down to have our souls restored. May we slow down to please You and humbly submit to Your ways. Thank you for showing us the way to a joyful and restful life. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Raising children is challenging. No one has all the answers because each child is unique as are parenting styles and family dynamics. By connecting with and knowing your children as you maintain purposed growth in Christ, you will be better prepared for any situation you face.
That’s why you hear me share about the Set-Apart Collective in this podcast. I work with professionals who care about making Jesus known to their children. Are you a high-achieving woman who loves Jesus, but is so busy with the rush of work and daily life that you feel like you’re being drained like the water in your bathtub? Do you yearn to get closer to Jesus and show Him to your kids so you will create a love that will last into eternity? The desire is there, but your days spiral out of control before you even think about opening your Bible.
Do you ever stop to think that you are the first Jesus your child will see? Let me remind you there is hope. There is a way you can be equipped to raise kids who chase Christ over culture. If you want a connected relationship with Christ and your children that leads them to your side and His feet, instead of them seeking validation from peers, I have an 8-step program to move you from frustrated to fulfilled. I will show you how to reflect Jesus in a way that attracts your family to a connected relationship that lasts into eternity.
Remember, godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset you carry. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will arm you with a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You’ll also deepen your identity in Christ so you can mentor the way for your children to do the same. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family and you will have the tools to raise set apart kids as you parent the heart, not simply the behavior.
Does this sound like a lifeline to help you be that set-apart mom God has entrusted you to be? Visit terrihitt.com/coaching and click the link for a free, no obligation conversation call with me. This is a strategic call where I will hear your biggest struggle and show you how to turn it into a blessing that will bring you closer to Christ and your children. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity.
One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ.