You know, the "b" word. No, not that word. We haven't heard that word since Obi-2 figured out how to stay "stitches" correctly. I'm talking about the really dangerous "b" word.
Busy.
We used to use it all the time. People would ask how we're doing, and we'd say, "busy." I'd answer requests with, "when I'm not so busy." I'd pack us from appointment to another commitment, and one errand to another, all because I was "busy." Our calendar started to look like a jigsaw puzzle. That word was becoming an excuse or a trophy.
"I'm so busy." Does that mean I'm productive, or accomplishing more than you? I could probably list all of my commitments and explain my schedule, and we could compare. But does the busiest person win?
"I'm so busy." Does that mean that you don't matter to me? Does it excuse forgetting to call you on your birthday or canceling our meeting? It probably doesn't make it easier when I schedule a simple coffee date for two weeks out by claiming I'm so busy. But does the busiest person receive the most grace?
It's said that the use of profanity indicates a lack of vocabulary. I'm trying to see "busy" as nearly profane, a catch-all word. What happens when it replace the words of ownership, reality, and joy of life? It is a short jump from busy to worried, and a small step from worried to frantic. I don't want to go there - we have too much joy and peace and fun around here to tarnish it with a word like "busy."
2 comments:
Well now, this is convicting.
Blessings to you, my bon-bon eating, bean-liberating friend.
oh, monica... not meant to be convicting, but it has been a challenge to change my vocabulary (and thoughts!). Blessings to you, too.
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