I am putting up walls.
I am setting limits for myself.
I am asking myself if all of the activity is necessary.
I am stopping myself from participating.
I am guarding my relationships.
I am searching for the simple way.
I am putting up roadblocks.
On any given day after preschool, my four year old will ask me to drive over to "the dead end". It's a quick drive and it provides him with a little thrill, especially when I drive like I don't know it's there and then stop suddenly as if I am surprised. He loves this little game.
During the last few visits we have talked about figuring out how to get to the other side. The road ends but it backs right up to another road and another neighborhood. We want to explore and end up on the other side. We haven't done it yet but I am sure we will.
Last week when we made the short trek to the dead end I began to wonder the purpose of the road block. The road ends and a few feet later it begins again. In between, there is a large roadblock.
I usually think that roadblocks are negative. They stop progress.
But what if a roadblock is intended for good?
One neighborhood may have petitioned not to be connected to another neighborhood. The city could have decided it didn't want a road that would allow traffic to flow through the residential area.
I have decided roadblocks can be helpful- even good. I am considering where I need to construct roadblocks in my life.
I'd like to construct a roadblock for my tendency to over commit. Right now I am at my limit for activities. In truth, I think I am doing too much. I wish there had been a roadblock when I had reached my load limit.
There are other areas where I am sensing a need for roadblocks. I want to spend less and consume less -so I can give more. I need a wall to stop my extra spending and my indulgent appetite. And, even though I have fantastic friends, I want to set a limit on how much time I devote to relationships. I have to dedicate adequate time to myself and my family first. I need a roadblock to appear and block my way when I am not walking passionately in faith, spending time in prayer and reading scriptures. I need a train traffic stop roadblock for that area of my life.
I am not sure if I am burdened this way because this season often highlights consumerism and tempts me with longings to have more than I have. It may be because I have so many activities this month and a full to do list. I don't know the reason. I just know that I need more roadblocks.
So, I am focusing on:
- putting up walls.
- setting limits for myself.
- asking myself if all of the activity is necessary.
- stopping myself from participating.
- guarding my relationships.
- searching for the simple way.
- putting up roadblocks.
