This summer I read two books, hoping for perspective for something I struggle with.
Lysa TerKeurst is a writer, speaker, and the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries. The Best Yes helps readers make wise decisions in the midst of endless demands. Sometimes no is very hard for me. I feel so sick and guilty when I have to say no to something. The chapters of the book draw you into the process of saying yes and no wisely. Chapter three sums up what so many of us feel, an overwhelmed schedule and an underwhelmed soul. Seeking God and letting go of unrealistic expectations can help us wisely give our best yes and humbly offer our best no.
Jessica Turner of Mom Creative, writes The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You. The Fringe Hours encourages busy parents to take time for themselves. Do you ever feel guilty when you lie down for a nap, read a book, or try a new craft and your house is a mess? We are encouraged to give ourselves permission to invest in the things we love and the relationships that are important for us, while letting go of the guilt of self-imposed pressures.
I truly struggle with both of these things.
I’m so thankful for all of you. I want to encourage you all to know its all right to not be perfect. We don’t have to always say yes. We don’t have to give away our fringe hours continually for others. Part of the way we make a difference and give back is to take care of ourselves too.
Since reading these books I have:
- Made a secret Pinterest board with things I want to dream about.
- Before school starts again I am trying to take a little nap every afternoon while the kids do their screen time.
- I got little white lights to hang above my writing desk. I wish I could drape the world with little white lights 🙂
- I’m going to make time to exercise and take care of myself.
- I practiced saying no, which brought me to a yes that I could offer and feel so excited about.
- I’m slowing down, so I can hear.
What do you all love to do in your fringe hours? I want to know what you LOVE to do when you make time for it! These are very well the things God will use most deeply in your life to make a difference.
I also want to give away my copies of these two books! Just leave a comment and you’ll be entered! 
About Proximity 
I love your list of things you have started doing/want to start doing! I’m going to make a list, too!
I want to hear what you come up with 🙂 You have so many gifts!
Thank you Lisa. I too love to make time for reading, but at times find it difficult to do.
You are one of the best readers! And pickers of books too.
I LOVE to READ!!!! (you already know that). But, I also like to write, when I have the time. It’s always been a dream of mine to be a writer. But what I miss most is painting. I LOVE to paint, and I haven’t done it so long. Now my daughter is into painting and it fills me with such joy!
You definitely have a story to write. I know God will use you this way. I didn’t know you loved to paint! That is awesome. I love that Hannah is painting 🙂 I love to collage, even though I know nothing about it! I love these sweet things God puts on our hearts, art therapy is the best.
What was fringe is now mainline. I took up bicycling in 2008, following a successful hip replacement. In time it changed my life – literally my body, my mind, my well being. Exercise is important, of course, but regularly cycling for a couple of hours transforms. I suspect your winters in Holland are tough on the roads, so it might not be as easy. But it truly is for everyone.
We love family bike riding! Winter is tough, but spring, summer and fall is beautiful. You get exercise and nature 🙂
🙂 I love twinkly lights. I think they’re so magical! I also definitely need my naps and I’m learning how to say no too… and not feel guilty. 😦
It’s so hard! Naps are good for the soul. I see some experimental fun crafting in your fringe hours 🙂
I struggle with this, too, Lisa. I have been trying to make time to read a bit this summer–just grabbing a chapter here and there. And I enjoy weaving. I like your list. Good for you.
I like that. Sometimes, you can get a chapter in here and there. It’s a good way to squeeze in reading. Weaving that’s a great one, I’ve seen your finished products too, beautiful 🙂
Oops! Wrong email. Sorry–I fixed it…
I love your list, Lisa! I’ve struggled with saying no for years, but my husband, and Jesus, are helping me to see the value in saying no to the good so I can say yes to God’s best. It’s so hard to admit I can’t do everything. Even though I sometimes think I want to! Saying no has shown me that I can focus energy on the truly important things in this life God’s given me.
As for the fringe hours? I love to write. I love to scrapbook. I love to read. I’m getting two of the three in. Scrapbooking has taken a back seat for now. 🙂 I’m also working on getting more sleep. Highly important so I can use those fringe hours well. 🙂
I’d love to be entered in your drawing! I’ve been wanting to read The Best Yes all year. The Fringe Hours also sounds good. 🙂
I think that’s the hardest too, that some things we have to say no to are still good, just not the best for us in the moment. We like the same things. Although, I have not organized pictures for some time 🙂 Both books are very good!
I love your list. I need to have a specified fringe time. My whole day just seems random. At the end of the day I feel guilty and tired. Maybe these books 🙂 would help me. One of my favorite things is reading. Nevet do it anymore. Love you!
You should definitely start reading again! It’s a good relaxing activity. You give to so many, you should take care of yourself too. Love you.
Am I too late for this????? One of the things I’ve been really pondering lately is being an example of saying no to my kids. I had this revelation that if they constantly see me saying yes, whether it’s out of obligation or because I don’t want to hurt other people’s feelings, etc., that I’m setting a horrible example for them. I frequently tell them to listen to their gut or to say no when something doesn’t feel right (drugs, sex, alcohol, peer pressure, etc.) and I really should make an effort to role model that for them. So, my new motivation is to listen to my gut, pray about things and say no, graciously and nicely when something isn’t right. Then, I try to explain to my children how I said now and role model making those choice for them. It has been a huge “a ha” moment for me.
Oh, that’s so good Wendi! I never even thought about how always saying yes might affect out kids too. Thank you for sharing this. I need to remember this perspective! (and you are not late at all 🙂
Your list of things your going to do for yourself is inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for visiting!
Nikki VanEngen you won the books for the drawing!!