The one with all the sacrifices

Lately, I feel like I've been running on empty. It's probably due to the mass amount of commitments I make each week, including school, research, study groups, bible study, church, sleeping, running, prayer meetings, etc. And while each of them are important to me, I have to admit, this semester I really looked deep, figured out what I wanted to be committed to, and then made sacrifices for it.

I mean, obviously these sacrifices are nothing compared to the greatest sacrifice ever made (See Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), but for me, they do seem pretty significant. For instance, I've made a pretty big commitment to running this year. And while adding on one more hobby doesn't seem like a lot, it is a huge time commitment. For instance, on Saturday alone I ran 9.6 miles which takes me at least an hour and a half. It can be rather difficult to commit to such a task especially when most days I run I'm out the door between 6-7 AM just so I can get back in time to get ready for class.

Thus, the sacrifice of sleep. I'm usually asleep by 10:30 and get up around 6 or so to run, hit the gym, read my bible, finish any school work, etc. that I may have before the day really gets going. On top of that, Bible Study just started up (which I absolutely love) but it's at Sunday nights starting at 7:30. Add that into an already jammed pack week and I'm feeling a little strained.

I'm sure my professors would also tell you that my grades/schoolwork have also been sacrificed. I've had to take a little bit of time away from them just to maintain good sleep/study/social practices. Not to mention the social life that I no longer have - mostly because I don't have the time, but also because I have no non-OT friends at JMU anymore.

The biggest sacrifice I've made this semester is my me-time. I used to take a little me-time and relax by watching tv, reading a book, or doing something relatively fun that was nowhere school related. Instead, I've really been reading my Bible and journaling about all of the incredible things that God is doing in my life. Worthwhile? Absolutely! But instead of making it about me, it's all about Him. This has also caused me to re-evaluate some other aspects of my life as well. For example, being so busy, I have no time to watch tv or hang out with friends. The great thing about it is, I honestly have no desire to catch up on any tv shows.

I have had to switch my morning routines up a bit so that I can get everything in. On a day when I don't have class until 12:15 (like today) I get up at 7 and start my day. I make it a point to get ready and read my bible before class because it only gets that much harder throughout the day. Between the group meetings, class, quick lunches, and constant prayer, I'm exhausted when I get home. And then it just repeats itself.

It's a crazy, beautiful life.