Hmmm...According to my daughter-in-law, Elisabeth, this is a picture of her 1 yr. old daughter 'helping' her pack for their move to a new home. Somehow, I don't think this kind of packing help was part of her 'plan' for the day. But it illustrates the secret to enjoying life now, instead of waiting until you get , the perfect day, house, season in life, or income to do so. What did you plan to do today? Did it go the way you planned?
Mom..will you help me with the homework? Mom, will you drive me to town?--I want to talk. Mom, the honor society is meeting tomorrow..and I'm supposed to help! Honey, did you call the auto place? Could you pick up the truck for me? Hey Dad, Can we go fishing tonight?
It took me the longest time to realize that interruptions were God's way of letting me know what I was 'supposed' to be doing versus what I had 'planned' to do. Elisabeth didn't plan to clean up papers, white paint, etc while packing for her move...but the Lord did. He taught her the most important lesson a mom can ever learn. Those interruptions..were no surprise to Him..just to her. They were what the day was really all about in the first place. So she took a picture...aren't you glad she did?
Somehow, in life it seems that things never go quite according to plan. I didn't 'plan' to babysit a granddaughter while homeschooling my last two children. My husband didn't 'plan' for Hurricane Ike. But I'm so glad that I was flexible enough to work with the situations as they arose and to try to 'rise' to the occasion. Tuesday's with Lena were absolutely precious. Hurricane Ike taught us lessons we could not have learned any other way. Caring for my Dad for three weeks before he passed away..aninterruption?--You bet! An appointment from our Heavenly Father?--Absolutely! Those moments are cherished ones...that I wouldn't trade for the world!
Proper Priorities...the Key to Time Management
According to the Experts
Most of the time, when you read about time management, and I've read lots of books on this subject, they emphasize the importance of not allowing 'interruptions' in your life. They suggest all kinds of quirky ways to avoid or derail anyone who dares interfere with whatever that important thing is that you are wanting to do. Invariably, they send a strong message--your projects are more important than any person. In fact, their message is almost universally focused on yourself at the expense of everyone else. I have to say that I totally disagree with that!
According to the Experts
Most of the time, when you read about time management, and I've read lots of books on this subject, they emphasize the importance of not allowing 'interruptions' in your life. They suggest all kinds of quirky ways to avoid or derail anyone who dares interfere with whatever that important thing is that you are wanting to do. Invariably, they send a strong message--your projects are more important than any person. In fact, their message is almost universally focused on yourself at the expense of everyone else. I have to say that I totally disagree with that!
Interruptions are God's Appointments
I like what Elisabeth Elliott said instead, "Interruptions are God's appointments". They are the Lord deciding what you are going to do for the day, rather than you deciding."The best things I've ever done, the most meaningful moments I have ever experienced, have been things I didn't plan for. If you will decide, that this setback or interruption, is what the day was all about in the first place, then you can accomplish what the Lord really wants you to with a right attitude and it will matter more in the long run than anything you had planned to do.
I like what Elisabeth Elliott said instead, "Interruptions are God's appointments". They are the Lord deciding what you are going to do for the day, rather than you deciding."The best things I've ever done, the most meaningful moments I have ever experienced, have been things I didn't plan for. If you will decide, that this setback or interruption, is what the day was all about in the first place, then you can accomplish what the Lord really wants you to with a right attitude and it will matter more in the long run than anything you had planned to do.
Getting Sidetracked
I feel like I am the worst possible person to talk about the subject of time management unless you want to know how I get back on track when I find myself having fallen off the deep end and buried with too much to do. I tend to be one of those type A's who can't stop doing whatever it is that they are into, until it's done and done well. It's all or nothing with me, apart from the Lord's grace. My pastor once described me as the 'energizer bunny' because when I was focused on helping our small church function well and smoothly, I never tired of doing so. There was no job too small that I was not willing to do it. You can count on me for help and enthusiasm, misplaced or otherwise. The result of a focus like that is obvious...burnout! And that's just what happened. I'm amazed how quickly I forget that I don't need to do everything that needs to be done. I need to wait on God's 'assignments'. Those things I am uniquely qualified to do. If I do it all..then other people miss their chance to do what God designed them to do.
I feel like I am the worst possible person to talk about the subject of time management unless you want to know how I get back on track when I find myself having fallen off the deep end and buried with too much to do. I tend to be one of those type A's who can't stop doing whatever it is that they are into, until it's done and done well. It's all or nothing with me, apart from the Lord's grace. My pastor once described me as the 'energizer bunny' because when I was focused on helping our small church function well and smoothly, I never tired of doing so. There was no job too small that I was not willing to do it. You can count on me for help and enthusiasm, misplaced or otherwise. The result of a focus like that is obvious...burnout! And that's just what happened. I'm amazed how quickly I forget that I don't need to do everything that needs to be done. I need to wait on God's 'assignments'. Those things I am uniquely qualified to do. If I do it all..then other people miss their chance to do what God designed them to do.
Saying No to Good Things
One famous Christian leader once said that " the Good is often the enemy of the Best." There are many good things that we can do and would like to do with our time--so many that we could never do them in our lifetime!!! We have to choose the best things--the right things. (Our husbands are the most objective people to give us feedback on this subject!) Mary, according to the bible, chose the better thing. She chose to sit at Jesus feet, rather than wash dishes when he was over to visit.
One famous Christian leader once said that " the Good is often the enemy of the Best." There are many good things that we can do and would like to do with our time--so many that we could never do them in our lifetime!!! We have to choose the best things--the right things. (Our husbands are the most objective people to give us feedback on this subject!) Mary, according to the bible, chose the better thing. She chose to sit at Jesus feet, rather than wash dishes when he was over to visit.
She knew, what we need to learn. We have to learn to say NO to good things, in order to say YES to the right things, which are determined by our own consciences, choices and seasons of life.
Out of Balance
For me personally, my biggest downfall is focusing too much time and effort on one area of my life to the exclusion of other areas. (And I suspect I'm not the only one with this problem!) When I'm blogging..I can never seem to get the posts just right or the blog just right. Or if the house is a mess, I'll start cleaning and that's all I want to do for the next three days--so hubby better run to Pizza Hut or everyone is going to go hungry! And if I'm sewing...well without intervention, I might never come up for air! Now, honestly, most of the time, my conscious kicks in and I keep a happy balance, but the danger is always there for me!
For me personally, my biggest downfall is focusing too much time and effort on one area of my life to the exclusion of other areas. (And I suspect I'm not the only one with this problem!) When I'm blogging..I can never seem to get the posts just right or the blog just right. Or if the house is a mess, I'll start cleaning and that's all I want to do for the next three days--so hubby better run to Pizza Hut or everyone is going to go hungry! And if I'm sewing...well without intervention, I might never come up for air! Now, honestly, most of the time, my conscious kicks in and I keep a happy balance, but the danger is always there for me!
Thank goodness I have three very happy noisy interrupters (a.k.a. teenagers) who want me to read their speeches, cut their hair, watch a movie with them, or go to town..just for the ride. They keep me from getting too focused on my own projects or 'responsibilities'. What I'd do without them I don't know!
Getting Back on Track
My husband is a patient saint in my opinion. When he finds me buried in a closet, bleary eyed in front of the computer or surrounded by scraps of fabric, he just very politely asks, 'Did the kids do school today ? Do we have any clean socks?...What's the plan for dinner? Is there any money left? He keeps me focused in a way that only a steady quiet man can do... politely. When I see him run a load of underwear or start washing dishes, I know some project has probably gone on longer than it should have. But long before that, the Lord is quietly poking at me in the back of my conscious saying, "Donna..are you doing the 'right' thing?..or just a 'good' thing?"
He's the best reminder I could ever ask for. I wish I could say that I don't need reminding, but sadly that is just not the case. I'm a happy-go-lucky, take life by the reins, and say Giddup! Let's go! kind of person. Without a proper focus, I'm like lightning..lots of energy and no direction". (Sidetracked Home Executives) I may be a 'type A' person by nature, but the Lord put people in my life to keep from burning out. Those people, husband, friends, children, grandchildren, and parents, keep me from getting to 'self' focused help me to stop and 'smell the roses'.
Today is too good to waste by worrying or getting frustrated about what you didn't get done. Let's celebrate what we did get done, knowing that was the plan all along! Live in the NOW!
Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
No comments:
Post a Comment