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Yesterday during my rigorous workout, I doubled over, gasping for air.   As the trainer on my exercise DVD transitioned swiftly from side shuffles to burpees, I had a revolutionary thought.

I could press pause. 

Now, I’ve been doing these exercises every day for the last three weeks, barely keeping up, and only just today did I consider this option.

So I did.

Do you know what happened because I pressed pause?

I was able to perform better for a longer period of time.

This time, when I did the burpees, I actually finished eight of them in sixty seconds.

(Please don’t laugh.  I was dying by the end.)

And then I realized a second powerful thought:

I could press pause more than once.

And I did.

It took longer to get through the workout, but I was happier with the results.  I finished, and I finished well, even though it was extremely hard and I didn’t want to do it.

Then came the bonus round.

I always skip the bonus round.

Do you know what is in the bonus round?

Terrible stuff.  Stuff that’ll make you cry like a baby.  Stuff that you wish you’d never heard of and you absolutely loathe doing with all your heart, mind, and soul.

It’s a full body plank.

But there’s more.

First, you go down on your right forearm, and then your left.

And then, you raise back up to full plank extension on your right arm…

and then do the same with the left.

Over and over and over again.

For sixty excruciating seconds.

It’s more than any rational human can bear.

I almost bolted.

But I decided to press pause.

Was I cheating?  Is it cheating to press pause during a workout so you can do it better and finish well?

Some would argue it is.  Some would say, “You have to push through to learn endurance.”

I would say it’s also important to use good form AND stay alive.

There’s a purpose in my exercise ramblings.

You see, mom, there are times during the day when you need to press pause.

I’m not talking about a siesta by the pool or a bubble bath.  I’m talking about something you need much, much more.

I’m talking about the revolutionary power of pause for a connection with the Almighty.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.  They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.  Isaiah 40:31, MSG

Mom, you are in a marathon, not a sprint.  And I’m not just talking about one day (although yes, sometimes the days look interminably long).

I’m talking about the duration of your rearing.  I’m talking about the day-in, day-out rearing of your people – for years.

It’s time to press pause.

You can’t handle that mouthy kid one more second?

Press pause.

You’re so over the two-year-old temper tantrums.

Press pause.

Your husband just left for work and you can’t even think about making it to the end of the day all alone.

Press pause.

Sister, pause’ll get you through.

What does pause look like?

6 Small Ways to Press Pause

1.)  Pause is taking five minutes on your knees on the bathroom floor with ear plugs (because your tribe is banging on the door).

2.)  Pause is praying that Scripture verse you hung in your kitchen window.

3.)  Pause is digging in the Word while the kids are down for naps.

4.)  Pause is acknowledging your Almighty God in the middle of your laundry pile and believing He sees and hears little ole’ you and your great big tears.

5.)  Pause is rising a few minutes earlier than the kids to ready yourself for the day.

6.)  And pause is grabbing a quick prayer for God’s strength for the bonus round.

Bonus rounds are the hard, hard days.  They need more frequent pauses.  These are the days you think will never end.

But bonus rounds are also hard, hard moments.  Those moments when you want to lie down right beside that two-year-old and scream your lungs out too.

If you don’t come apart, honey, you WILL come apart!

Dear mom, please write down these Scriptures and tuck them where you will see them frequently throughout your day.

The power of pause is a real thing, and you can do this with God’s help.  Don’t think you don’t have time to pray or read the Word.

Because the truth is, you don’t have time NOT to!

Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all.  In Your hand is power and might;

In Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.   I Chronicles 29:12, NKJV

Mom, today when it gets extra hard and you find yourself doubled over because you just can’t take another step, will you press pause?  You’ll be glad you did.

And you know you don’t have the option to skip that bonus round.

Better press pause for that.

*If you need help pressing pause, I’ve got help for you.  My free, 5-Day Mommy Anger Makeover Kit is designed to be used as a devotional tool to help you press pause and reset your attitude before you blow.  Why not join me and freshen your walk with God ?

Featured post from last week’s Link up!

*NOTE:  Be sure to click the link to read the rest of this sweet post!

This week’s feature comes from Mary Flaherty at Son Rise Insights.

 

 

God’s pop-ups often come at the most inopportune times and invade our comfortable routine, don’t they?

It’s those Holy Spirit moments–those thoughts that pop into your head and you say, “Where did that come from?”

Go visit that person.
Pay for her groceries.
Buy him a cup of coffee.
Call her.
Encourage him.
She likes your earrings. Take them off and give them to her.
He needs a friend. Invite him to join you.
Why don’t you cook a meal–or a few–for that neighbor–yes, that one–the grouchy one you don’t like.

Sure, He speaks to us about lots of other things too, but it’s those pesky acts of service–those things that require us to get out of our self bubble and be “Jesus with skin on”–that we’d prefer to have advance warning about. To read the rest of this cleverly titled post, click here – you’ll be glad you did!

~Mary Flaherty, Say Yes to God’s Pop-ups

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