Freely Speaking with Karen

It was 4:00 am. The building was dark except for the lights in my cubicle, staff kitchen, and conference room. I was making a pot of coffee at the request of a physician who arrived early for a meeting. Our department and I worked long hours to catch up on a backlog of specialty medical claims with state-mandated due dates.

My boss entered the kitchen, saw me making coffee for the doctors, and yelled at me because this was not in my job description. “Coffee making” was a courtesy. Considering how much extra time I devoted to my job, it felt unjust. Then my mind recalled what Jesus said in the Book of Matthew.
 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30, ESV).

I loved my job but confused busyness with the destructive pattern of overworking. Like a teeter-totter, everything was unbalanced, weary in heart, mind, body, and soul; my overworked boss seemed to be taking out her angst on me. Leaving the coffee undone as ordered, I returned to my desk and wrote a note to personnel to take some needed sick leave to recharge with Jesus.
 When have you felt the need to step back from all your busyness and rest in Jesus?

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10 Comments


Susan - August 2nd, 2023 at 8:32am

Because I never had children, I used to be resentful when my coworkers took time off from work because their children were sick. Then I realized I could take a PTO day as a "mental health day" to rest and regenerate, even though I wasn't exactly sick. It's a good habit to get into, because if we don't rest we will not be effective in our job or personal lives. Congratulations on taking care of yourself!

Karen Wardle - August 3rd, 2023 at 4:53pm

God desires us to have peace and joy in Him. We can't have that if we're overwrought and stressed out. Taking care of ourselves- mind, heart, body, and soul is so important. If the teeter totters away from any of these areas we're at risk for deviating from God's desires.

Karen - August 2nd, 2023 at 12:19pm

I have been discovering that this year while helping with my mom. my mom wants to ONLY work. (Planting, weeding, loading plants...) It's the one thing she's incapable of doing. Mom's still healing from back surgery and her Alzheimer's disease continues to progress. She never took time to cultivate hobbies like bible studies or reading or painting or doing puzzles, etc. Makes me realize there's more to a fulfed life than just work. Thanks for posting Karen!🙂

Karen Wardle - August 3rd, 2023 at 4:56pm

So true East-Coast-Karen! I love that you're keeping a healthy balance.

Royce - August 2nd, 2023 at 2:32pm

At work, I wonder if the questionable feedback from others is their own shortcoming, or if it is abusive or some type of persecution.



Did Jesus open the door to this job, am I doing what He gives me to do here? Is this my Kingdom service, or am I just at work, marinated in this workaholics?



I think of how Jesus puts it, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me."

Matthew 5:10‭-‬11 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.5.10-11.NIV



Is the coffee I am making for others because of Him? Am I here at 4:00AM because of Him? Am I interviewing and starting this new job He gave me because of Him?



Yes.

Karen Wardle - August 3rd, 2023 at 4:51pm

Thank you for posting your wise words and scripture, Royce. My busyness, as well as my boss' busyness, were definitely deviating from God's desires.

Sharee Gaiser - August 2nd, 2023 at 4:21pm

Karen, your words resonated and I'm proud of you for recognising what was driving your busyness. You made a powerful decision in that moment. Well done!

Karen Wardle - August 3rd, 2023 at 4:56pm

Thanks Sharee!

Sarah - August 3rd, 2023 at 11:22am

I'm so glad you realized what you needed and took some time to recharge with the Lord!!! As a mother and working all those years it was really hard not to get burned out!! 💜💜💜

Karen Wardle - August 3rd, 2023 at 4:58pm

I can only imagine how difficult it must be to keep balance while having to juggle both an outside job as well as the needs of a young family. Stress is insidious.

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