My name is Rachael and I’m a workaholic. Yes, it’s true. I’m finally coming to the realization. So what did I do about it? I quit last week. I know what you’re thinking, but I finally did it. I actually quit for …… a DAY. Yes, a day. This may not sound like a big deal to you, but some of you know what I’m talking about it. Those of us ministry workaholics that spend way too much time at the church office and too much time on our laptops while IN BED. Those of us whose hobbies revolve around our ministries and whose minds spin while trying to fall asleep.

For some of you, this may be a shocker, but not honoring the Sabbath is one of my greatest sins. It’s one of the top ten for crying out load and I can’t even do it. I have this vicious cycle: if I keep working to get things done I burn out, if I stop and not do something productive I feel lazy. I honestly don’t know the balance.  When is it time to back off your work?  When is your best really good enough?

As of last week, I had spent seven days a week for about 2-3 months at the church. I know- not cool. To be honest, sometimes, I don’t know how to stop. Really, I didn’t have much choice in the matter. I had meetings every day it seemed, and stuff had to get done. But something amazing happened. One Friday I didn’t have to be at church. A couple girlfriends from college asked me to go out to dinner with them that Thursday night. It was amazing. I actually unplugged! I don’t know if I had ever done that, just stopped for a few hours without a thought of ministry. We laughed so hard we cried, ministry never came up, and we closed the place down. That Friday I actually refrained from the office (strict orders from our office manager, love her). I got some alone time with one of my kids, stayed in my jammies for hours and actually got to read a book. No nap though (asking too much?).

As a bonus, the next week was our fellowship’s annual District business meeting. I look forward to it all year. It’s a chance to hang with my fellow co-workers and their families, reconnect with ministry friends from around the state, and have alone time with my hubby, while getting refreshed.  Though it really isn’t a time to ‘un-plug’ from ministry life, it still helped me relax and refresh with those who understand.  However, the week is crammed with meetings, luncheons, and services. I had to make some choices. One of the days a well known speaker gave a church planting/leadership seminar. I’m a total dork, but you have to hold me back from a good seminar!!!! But after receiving some wise council, you know what I did? I skipped it and took a nap. Sounds silly, but it was a battle for me to make that decision. As a ministry workaholic, my life revolves around studying leadership and trying to perfect the craft of pastoring. Did I really need this on a week I was supposed to be refreshing? For some, it was awesome, but I have to know my limits. So I quit, to take a nap.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:
Ladies, as wives, moms, and pastors/women in ministry, we are constantly running. It doesn’t stop. Our todo lists never end. That’s why we have to force it to stop. We have to unplug. We have to quit . . . for a short time. A few hours, a day, maybe two or three.  It’s easier said than done and I’m still learning how. Learning how to put family first, get away, let certain jobs go for the sake of sanity, and NOT think about my job. Do that this week. Put away the laptop. Go for a walk, a movie. For crying out load, get a hobby-  I should probably do that too . . .

PRAY WITH ME SISTERS:
“God, please forgive me (us) for being a workaholic. Please forgive me where I’ve put my work above my relationship with you. I need your wisdom in this. I need your guidance on what is too much. Protect me and my family from burnout and help us to keep the Sabbath.  Show me areas that need to be given up. Help me to know that my best is enough. Convict me when I am lazy and convict me when my work is taking away from my family time. Send those who can take some of the burden off my (our) shoulders and teach me to trust others to handle those burdens. I pray not only that you would provide laborers, but provide the time and money needed to refresh; whether with family or alone. In Jesus name.”

I want to hear from you.  How do you unplug?