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For many people, the busiest times of the year are Christmas and Thanksgiving. Getting ready for these holidays can create a lot of stress, sometimes even overshadowing the joy they're meant to bring. However, for clergy couples, those holidays can be eclipsed by Easter. This year, my family has added to the challenge by planning to visit family and take a week off after Easter. Complicating matters, each of our boys attends a different school so their breaks occur on different weeks.

I share this because I suspect that, like us, some of you might also feel overwhelmed by busyness, especially during the holidays. When we approach any holiday, it can feel hectic. It can be all the worse if: we're trying to take time off work, have kids at home on a school holiday, have a trip planned, or expect family to come into town. When we get caught up in busyness, we can get stressed and lose sight of where our focus should be: on people and relationships (especially during the holidays).

As I look back on holidays, the problem for me was that I wanted to be in control. I want everything at work and home to be perfect. I often want the perfect dinner in the cleanest house...or the trip where we leave at the right time and go on the right route. This often creates stress, frustration, drama, or arguments. Could it be that my focus on having all things perfect gets in the way of having pure enjoyment with my family? Hm. Like the other night when I was trying to get things done and Philip came over to show me his "pasta fingers."  I almost missed the moment.  Maybe when my mind is on the wrong things, I am distracted from the blessings God has placed right in front of me.

Perhaps we are wise to remember that there are things beyond our control. When we let go of some of the control—when we put our minds on God—we may just experience some peace...and therefore more joy. In the midst of the busyness of Easter, the words from Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) resonate deeply: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Expanding on this, the prophet encourages, “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord […] is the Rock eternal.” (v. 4)