In my efforts not to make others feel rushed and to give them my undivided attention, I catch myself rushing through my daily prayers. I do pray often during the day but I wonder if I’m squeezing God in here and there instead of giving Him my undivided attention as well???? Or does He accept a “please and thank you” to Him sufficient prayer on busy days….hmmmmm…….

This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thanks for the encouragement….it’s still not too late to start being that “unhurried” Mom! Blessings to you!

Loved your article….so true. Just this morning I was hurrying in and out of Panera when an older gentleman commented that he tries to get my attention to wave to me, but I’m always in such a hurry. This really made me stop and think. Then I got to work and read your article. I truly believe God was speaking to me and telling me to SLOW DOWN! It’s so hard, but I’m really going to try. THANK YOU!!

“Hurry”. It’s the only thing I regret doing as a young mom. We were involved in too many church activities. Can you believe it!?!? I thought I was justified, I was busy for the Lord! We ended up, eventually changing churches. We decided to wait 1 full year before we started committing our time in service. That was my turning point! It was a lesson learned….just in time! Thank you Lord!
Dee Ann

I am encouraged with this reading. My family are all grown and gone from home but I still seem to put more things on my schedule then I can comfortable handle causing me to continually be in a hurry. And generally late.

Marjorie – I think this can happen at any age. It’s something within us that drives us to do more. I’m still learning this lesson, for sure!

Susan – I am constantly reminding myself to take time for people. I love the stories of Jesus taking time from His busy schedule to minister to others. They inspire me to do the same. Thanks for posting a comment today.

It seems that we don’t feel we are accomplishing anything unless we’re in “hurry” mode. I’m retired and I still stay in that awful place of “not enough time”. What you have writtrn speaks to me…I have a husband and grandchildren that could benefit from slowing down by my whirlwind antics….I really urge you to write that book, An Unhurried Life.Relationships are what’s important, not how many errands I completed today. It applies to young moms and young Nannies like me! Loved your devo on Encouragement For Today today. In fact you are a favourite writer! You write of what’s really important.

Hi Teresa – I’m so thankful God gives us multiple chances. I need lots of them! Blessings on you as well, my friend.

Very good point. You’ve really got me thinking about this. Thank you.

Great post! I’ve thought about this before and seriously need to work on it…

Wow this really hit home with ne. It’s so easy to get hurried. It’s so much better NOT being hurried. It’s better for everyone. I know especially as a mom,that I need to slow myself down in order to relate better to my kids. Thank you so much for writing this article.

I love what you wrote! I always feel like I am hurrying – and it is affecting my children – especially my middle one. I feel like all I do is tell him to hurry up, get your shoe’s on, why are you so slow. ANd now in my bible study we are learning about Paul and how he tended to and nurtured his new fellow believers and I have been very convicted. And I don’t ever recall reading in my bible that Jesus didn’t have time for some (or give them his undividied attention) or hurry someone along. So I am trying very hard to slow down, and I will be looking forward to your new book! thanks for the encouraging words!

My biggest complaint when hurried is when others around (other family members) don’t do their parts or see the opportunity to do more when others have more on their plates.
Also, when you have a small business link with others and you email the group and ask for replies, etc. and they don’t communicate at all. This creates more work for the one.
Thanks for the post, I will check out the book you referenced by Ortberg. Sounds like one I need to read.
Lynn

I agree. I’m much nicer to be around when I’m not in a hurry.

Hi Lynn, thanks for posting a comment. There are so many pressures in life that can cause stress. It’s hard to say “no” to the urgency of others. But I’m finding ways to keep my peace in the midst of it all. Praying the same for you.

Thank you so much for your comments. And I love that about Jesus too. He always had time for an interruption and to love on someone. I’m praying to do the same. May the Lord bless you today, dear one.

I need some serious prayer and advice in this department. I am a working mom of 2 soon to be 3, my husband is unemployed. I am COMPLETELY overwhelmed, stressed out, and rushed every day. I feel such an urgency to make things different, but I have NO idea what to change. I’m going to ruin my kids and hate myself if I can’t change things. I’m not hearing the answer from God…I want desparately to be at home with the kids and provide a peaceful atmosphere for them. I’m stuck. Please…any ideas or encourage words??

Dear sister – My heart hurts at the pain and hopelessness I “hear” in your words. There are many who can relate to your hard situation. This economy has led many people into situations they never imagined.

I know there are lots of easy words to say at a time like this, but I’m not sure those words will bring you comfort or peace. But I do know that God alone can bring you peace. And somehow God can help you find contentment with your circumstances. He sees you every moment of the day. He knows how exhausted and frustrated you are. And I know He longs to bring you comfort. Can you find a few moments to sit and allow God’s Spirit to rest on you? Maybe tonight when the house is quiet? It may not change your circumstances, but it will change you.

When I’ve felt overwhelmed like that, I like to take a step back and figure out what matters most. You can’t do everything, but you can do the most important thing. And I believe that God will show you that. It might be to just love your children. It might be to show your husband respect despite how you might be feeling on the inside. It might be to make a menu for the week so you don’t have to worry about what’s for dinner. Let go of some of the expectations you might have put on yourself, and do what you can do.

I’ll be praying for you and I’m confident others will too. You are not alone. You are loved.

In His Love,
Glynnis

Yippee! Thank you for letting me know that God is using my writing to help you in some way. Bless you, dear one.

I’m actually an unhurried type which gets me into trouble because then when it’s time to go and I see that we’re running late I say,”Hurry! Hurry! Get in the car! We’re late!” I guess that’s lack of discipline, really. But the other thing that makes me need to hurry is that I have10 children, ages 5-26. The ones at home have activities they need to get to, and even though they’re not individually over-scheduled for the most part (other than a 14-year-old who has dance classes 5 days/week), it’s the sheer amount of everything all together that takes up so much time. We homeschool our children, so at least we are mostly home together during the day, but there still never seems to be enough time to do everything that needs doing. Again, I believe much of this has to do with discipline on my part…so maybe an idea for a chapter of your book would be “How to be better scheduled/disciplined in order to create more time so you don’t have to hurry all the time.” Just a thought…Looking forward to the book, and the title alone would make me want to buy it. I like the idea of “An Unhurried Life.”

Jolynn … I’m praying the Lord blesses you as you seek to live a more unhurried life.

I would love to be an un-hurried mom but I am a mom who is always in a hurry (working full-time and rushing off to my son’s activities or hurrying him with his homework). I pray that God will help me find a healthy balance between work and home.

Glynnis, what an appropriate message in today’s world! We always hurry around our life and trying to get things done fast and efficient. I have learnt over the past one year to slow down my life by taking joyful pitstops. My 2012 goal is to take morning off from work every 3 months. Just take the time for a long walk in the park and spend time with Jesus to renew my spiritual needs. Reading a book over breakfast or catch up with friends & loved ones over coffee. It helps to ‘slow-down’ the fast paced life we are in, and learning to lead an unhurried life. Great to have one chapter of your book on this joyful pitstop! Thank you for your encouraging message.

So, so true! Our pastor recently spoke about hurry being of the devil, and I couldn’t agree more. We need to take the time to embrace and take in the people and environment around us!

I’ve been in a hurried disposition for much of my life, and it’s only in the last year or two that I’m really learning the concept of time, haha. But really, when we make the room we need to comfortably get from Point A to Point B, there is less stress on me, which means less stress on my kids. And as you mentioned, more time to see to the needs and concerns of the people around us.

Thanks for posting this; it’s definitely something I need constant reminding on!

I try to be an unhurried woman and am always happiest when I succeed. Being in a hurry never brings joy, so when my stress level rises and I feel rushed, I try to remember that! Great post and so important to bring awareness to the subject.

Completely agree! So desire to be even more intentional and unhurried than we are already attempting. I was so inspired by Glynnis’ clutter-free series that we’ve given away at least 150 lbs of stuff from our home and it feels great…and we aren’t done yet! Thanks for the wonderful encouragement!

Wow, what a convicting post. Thank you for sharing your heart.

While I was reading this article, I was transported to a movie of my life. At the same time I was remembering how much I love to sit by my unhhuried aunt being close to her is a huge blessing. So, I will pray more to have more unhurried days to bless others and be blessed. Thanks Glynnis for letting yourself be God’s vesel in my life.

Let’s all live the unhurried life. amen

I am that hurried woman. I didn’t use to be, but found myself a single mom with five children and a demanding job. I was in a downward spiral, but the Lord has pulled me aside. I’m still working on your15 day challenge and look forward to reading your book. I look forward to sharing my testimony on the other side.

Wonderful ideas! It is hard to take a breath and a step back and stop the rushing, but in the end my family is better for me not over scheduling and not living up to others expectations for activities and schedules. We take the time to spend time together all the time, and it works for us. Great ideas and great points on which to keep the focus every day.

To be an un-hurried mom has been a goal of mine – and if I’m late for something, then I’m late. Some days are better than others, of course, but it’s a work in progress.

We need to be unhurried world, enjoy every minute of our lives and our love ones. Hope I can learn more with this great giveaway

Thank you for these words of wisdom. As wives and moms, we have the awesome opportunity (and responsibility) to set the tone for our family. We can choose to hurry through our day, missing opportunities to be Jesus to those God brings in our path; OR we can choose to be un-hurried, freeing ourselves to have open eyes to see the needs of others, a heart open to encourage those who are hurting and hands willing to help those in need. Blessings to you, Glynnis!

PS: I recently heard to speak at The Crossing in Las Vegas. Your testimony about moving and loneliness was touching! I identified with so much of your story, including having a degree in Communication/Journalism and wanting to use it for God’s glory. Thank you for sharing your heart with the ladies of our women’s ministry.

As usual, Glynnis, you are right on the money! I will love reading this book – er, well, it might be painful for me, but nevertheless, good for me! I have been late all my life (except when I was born!) and so therefore, I hurry. It drove my mother crazy. It embarrassed me.

However, something strange has been happening to me in the last few months. Little by little, I began to be “on time”. I began to get things doing with time to spare. One of my friends joked that she was rubbing off on me! Then another friend pointed me to your “Clutter Free Challenge” … and with your help and some powerful nudges from the Father – I’m really getting there! And – it’s about time!! Thank you! Julie Sanders

This book sounds like what my daughter-in-law and I both need! I love Glynnis’ writing, she is so down to earth and you feel like she is a friend you have known forever!

Glynnis, I think God has sent you here just for me! I’ve always thrived on being in control and being a perfectionist, but becoming a mother has certainly ground that to a halt. The beauty of motherhood for me, though, is that God has shown me a greater purpose through my boys. I still struggle with being “organized” (which I used to do impeccably well!), but feel this huge need to slow down and enjoy both them and my husband.
Thank God for you and your wisdom which you so graciously share with all of us!

Thank you Glynnis for another great read!

with God to learn to slow down, enjoy trenucima.Ali believe, judging from your blog, the book was excellent and helped me to make that even more can be a blessing to people around me

This is a must read book for me. I am always in a rush. Constantly being frustrated with my family because we are running late and a lot of the time it is my fault. I need to slow down and enjoy life instead of having life rule me. Thanks for this blog.

I would LOVE to be an unhurried mom. My kids are always wanting me to play with them, and I hate being so busy and not taking the time to play. I am learning that the kitchen doesn’t always have to be spotless right away!