Balloons and Balance

Lately I have been thinking about how to maintain a balanced life; holding the balloon strings of whom and what I love carefully threaded through only ten fingers. Deciding which to add, which to grasp tightly, and which to let go. Some even lift me up and carry me when I cannot walk any longer.

Knowing when a balloon needs to soar into the unknown is difficult. My youngest daughter’s departure for Southeast Asia comes to mind. My elderly great aunt and uncle floating into heaven yanked two precious strings free.

Sometimes the management of maintaining a balanced life seems easier than at others. Peaceful skies full of calm contrasted with blustery winds of trials. I long for divine input in guiding these decisions. I find a definite tension exists between planning with the big picture in mind and walking each day knowing that at any moment, God may slide a string from my grasp.

Last night my husband was spending time with work colleagues and I went to visit my great-nephew, Stephen. He is four months old and his cuteness escalates to new heights. This bobbing, colorful balloon coos, goos, and smiles.

When I returned home, the house was dark and quiet; reminiscent of former years spent as a single mother when my children visited their father. For a moment, I had to remind myself that these days have passed. The releasing and recapturing of precious children balloons still requires practice.

This weekend I seek to recreate the big picture of my life in mind and in word document. I envision this year as a marathon runner’s track with the months lined in an elongated ellipsis. Mentally placing goals around the track helps to direct my daily activities.

Yesterday, I spent hours editing my first book for the second time. In order to make the time for such an all-consuming task, many balloons of less important activities were released.

Balloons of faith, family, and career held tightly. Balloons of personal goals sifted and sorted for keeping and releasing in order to have enough time in the day.

Yes, my hands fill with brilliantly colored strings and often walking forward proves clumsy with so many bobbing balloons overhead. Yet, I can trust my Heavenly Father to help me manage. Planning for the big picture while simultaneously whispering, “If the Lord wills…”