This past September I flew to Indianapolis for the ACFW Conference. I didn’t have a direct flight and found myself spending almost three hours in the Cleveland airport. I was thankful for their public WiFi service. As I waited for my flight, I caught up with online friends on Facebook, people watched, sorted email and simply relaxed.
The past couple of months before that flight had been extremely challenging for me—the death of my dad, a book deadline a few days after my dad’s death, sending our youngest off to college, our older son dealing with some stresses and our basement flooding.
As I relaxed in that chair, I realized the importance of layovers. Direct flights aren’t always possible, so planes land to let off passengers, then refuel for the next flight. Layovers allow passengers a chance to stretch their legs, catch their breath and maybe grab something to eat.
We, as writers, need layovers in our lives. When we’re juggling family, church, work, friends, sporting activities, school functions and trying to meet deadlines, we can become exhausted very quickly.
We need to schedule layovers in our daily planning so we can refuel our bodies and our minds. We need to learn to delegate, say no and prioritize our commitments. We need to take time to sit and enjoy our surroundings. We need to relax and reflect.
This week marks the beginning of Advent—the coming of the Christ child. It’s supposed to be a season of rejoicing and celebrating God loving us so much that He sent His Son. It’s a gift to be cherished.
During this holiday season of decorating, shopping, baking and partying, I challenge you to take a spiritual layover and reflect on the layover that led Mary and Joseph to that stable. Then ask God to show areas in your life where you can downsize in order to have a calmer, less stressed 2014.
When was the last time you scheduled a layover in your life? How did it benefit you?
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