A bigger slice

April is birthday month in the Rainey family. Starting with the 5th of April, we celebrate Dad's, Sarah's, Ben's, and Sydney's birthdays before the month ends. We have parties about once a week. That means a lot of cake! And inevitably when the cake comes out, someone starts slicing while people gives requests for "just a little slice." As you pass out the cake plates, people pass on slices that are too large or too small, until like Goldilocks they get the slice that looks just right for their appetite.

Lately, I've been feeling like my life is being sliced out, like a cake or pie. I have responsibilities that take a certain amount of my time, energy, or focus. Obviously, my job requires my weekends; traveling and preaching is a major slice of my pie. During the week, I make phone calls, send out letters and cards, and do other office work which takes up a smaller slice of my pie. My Arabic class takes up more of the pie than I realized it would when I chose to take the class. I enjoy the class, and I've certainly learned a lot, but it's more pie than I really wanted to give out.

My family is the other largest piece of pie. My three nieces are here nearly every day, and I love spending time with them. I know that there will come a time when I won't be here to take them down to pet the horses, or push them on the swing. I want to make the most of the time I have now.

There are other smaller pieces of the pie. Personal devotions, keeping up with good friends, and the normal parts of life like grocery shopping and bill paying all take a wedge of time and energy. I've been trying to get back to the gym, too, although many days, it feels like the pie has already been given out and there's none left to divide up any further.

I've been trying to figure out how to make this pie go further for a few weeks now, and while I haven't figured it all out yet, I'm glad to enjoy the flavor of each and every slice.