May--The Most Stressful Month of the Year

I think May is the most stress-filled month of the year, more stressful than even December and the dreaded "holiday season."

Why? Because several major streams of life converge in May.

First, May is the month when the "run" that began last August/September is winding down. Another "academic" year is drawing to a close, with its attendant ceremonies and pressures. Students are graduating, be it from Kindergarten, first, fourth, eighth or twelfth grade, along with college and other institutions. Final grades are at stake. Life-trajectories are at stake (or so it seems, even to parents of first graders!).

Second, plans for summer are finalized and the last stages of preparation must be completed in May.

Third, there is the next "academic" season to prepare for, whether it's college, elementary school, high school, or just a job.

Fourth, the weather has finally decided to stay warm and so we've got to get outside and get the yard work done, begin anew the exercise program we fitfully started (and stopped) in the post-holiday days of winter, work around the house, get to T-Ball, soccer, softball, tennis, swimming and do who-knows-what-else because it's not winter anymore.

Exhausted yet?

Of course there are the outings to attend, like weddings, family reunions, and recreational weekends. These need to be planned in May because they will be here before you know it!

Now you can see why May is the most stressful month of the year!

But we don't realize it.

We can't understand why that black mood (could it be depression?) is hovering over our lives like a michievous cloud that sucks the energy out of us. We should be feeling great, we tell ourselves. The weather is finally decent. It's green again. The furnace isn't running and we don't need the air conditioner yet. We can sleep with the windows open (even if we are stuffed up with just a taste of an allergy).

We should be feeling great, but we're on edge and can't seem to break out of it. We snap at people. We want to pull the plug and say, "Time out!" Pushed and pulled in every direction imaginable, we want to get of the merry-go-round that is threatening to spin out of control. And we wonder what's wrong with us? Especially when everyone else is looking so happy.

It's stress.

And there's an alternative, a good one, to all of the stress that we're experiencing.

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)--"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. [29] Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. [30] Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." --Jesus

I've tried it--the relationship with Jesus. It works. Even for a feeling-type like me, a sponge for all of the feelings and emotions that are swirling around me.

Peace in May. What a concept!