Book Review: Breathe: Creating Space For God In A Hectic Life – Keri Wyatt Kent

August 7th, 2007 by kevin

I’m a firm believer in that statement. Giving my family my best. When I was working as a freelance editor through PaperPolisher.com, I often found myself up against a deadline at nights. I’d have dinner with them and then have to disappear for the rest of the night to edit. And while I felt productive in terms of making money, it wasn’t worth the alienation I subjected Kim and Kyler to.

So when God started talking to me about relaxing a bit more and refocusing my priorities, He made it clear that my time at PaperPolisher.com was coming to a close. Which was a relief to me. I think the site was infinitely more successful than I anticipated, and God was able to put me in contact with a number of people who I both blessed and was blessed by. And as mentioned in the latest newsletter, I now have a co-author, Patrick, with whom I’ve grown especially close to. He’s not just a co-writer, he’s a trusted friend.

Now I’m in the process of drafting a new schedule for my life. Scheduling time for God, time to be with just Kyler, with just Kim, etc. Time to read, time to write, time to do nothing at all. I’m clearing my plate of all the other “stuff” that used to take up my time. There will be plenty of time to resume some things when the kids are in school and my days are free again. But until then, I think I just want to invest in their lives and development as much as possible. It’s a rare opportunity, and I don’t want to take it for granted.

“Prayer is essential to eliminating hurry and simplifying.” – 248

In keeping with the theme of slowing down, a similar book was just mailed to me this week from PaperBackSwap.com. It’s “Slowing Down to the Speed of Life,” by Richard Carlson and Joseph Bailey. You might recognize Carlson’s name from his “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” series of books. I figure if God wants me to downshift, I might as well get a clearer understanding of exactly how to go about it.

I look forward to the next year and seeing how I continue to change as I strive to hear what He has to tell me. Honestly, I never thought I’d see the day when I’d VOLUNTARILY go to bed at 10:00pm on weeknights. That’s just crazy… but effective.