Balancing Life Series: How Will You Spend It?

Today is the last installment of the Balancing Life Series. I have really enjoyed writing about life,  priorities,  time,  and how God is not limited by any of it! 

photo credit

I had an ah-ha moment last week as I was taking the Priority Challenge. I wrote down how I spent every thirty minute block of time and realized that it was so much like tracking my food/calorie intake. I was not aware of how much time I was giving to this or that until I actually wrote it down. 


Surprising. Enlightening. Humbling.


I wasn't aware that I spent 1 - 3 hours in the car every day. Wow. And though I can't change the fact that I live 13 minutes away from Ryan's school and 12 minutes away from my office the other direction, I desire to make better use of that time. If I with my kids, I want to use that precious time to check in with them or chat about their day. Seems like I am normally checked out or even scolding them for being late or unfocused.


I didn't realize that even though I start my day with God and my cup of coffee, reading my devotional and Scripture, I rarely have any other "devoted" time to spend with the Lord. And I am in ministry! I talk to Him throughout the day, but if I ever have extra time, it is usually spent watching TV, reading, or on social media. (Just being real.)


So, does my reality line up with my priorities? Let's just say I want to be a better steward of the gift of time that God has given me. Not to be legalistic or follow some rule book, but to honor God. And just like I try to make good choices about food, I want to make good choices regarding my time. 


My devotional today in Sarah Young's Jesus Calling says this, "When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today's agenda. If it isn't, release it into My care and go on about today's duties. When you follow this practice, there will be a beautiful simplicity about your life..."


It has been said that time is the one asset of which we all have the same amount. The difference is how we spend it.

There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth... Ecclesiastes 3:1

How will you spend your time? Remember God is not bound by time and He knows what is best for you. Ask Him...He will give you direction. If this series has been encouraging or helpful to you in any way, I would love to hear! Please comment below or if you are reading by email, click here.


Living for ONE,


Kelli


If you are on Facebook, and have not joined my ministry page, I would love to connect with you. Make sure to click like so that it will show up in your newsfeed. And if you like it share it with your friends! Kelli Wommack Ministry Page...This is my little nook on Facebook where I post Scripture everyday, meaningful posts some days, and meaningless statuses never. I am a cheerleader at heart and I want to encourage you in this journey of Living for ONE.

Balancing Life Series: Not Bound by Time

I look back at the last month and wonder how I did not go crazy. (All those who think I did, please do not correct me.) It is amazing to me how we managed to juggle everything. 

photo credit

In the midst of normal family duties, taking care of my mom during chemo and the aftereffects, continuing ministry, I had a writing deadline for a magazine. I was so excited about the opportunity, but freaked out that I was not going to finish not one, but FOUR articles for this magazine.


I sent in my first article on time. Done. I did my research for the other three that were not due for another couple of weeks. It's a good thing. Because right after that, life went full speed throttle. 


My deadline for the other three articles was quickly approaching. It was my mom's chemo week and I felt quite certain that while she was receiving chemotherapy, I could work on my articles on my laptop. Plan fail. She needed me. During her long day at the cancer center, I managed to open my laptop for 20 minutes max. 


My other attempts that week to finish the articles failed. I had to take my daughter to an out-of-town science fair. My laptop stayed in the car the entire time because I realized that I needed to be "present" for her. (Her team of three home schoolers ended up winning, by the way!) I spent the next day at the office trying to catch up on ministry and the laptop remained untouched. This was Thursday. My man's birthday. My deadline was Friday morning. 


Needless to say, I was a little frantic. I had my research and half-written, unedited articles, but nothing completed. And now, my mind was very preoccupied with other things. Important things. I sent the editor an email and asked to extend the deadline until the end of the day on Friday. I didn't hear from him. So at 10:30 pm, Thursday night I began to pray for God to supernaturally enlighten me. Seriously. I put my hands to the computer and prayed that my half-written work would be completed. The longer I attempted to type, the crazier my sentences got. I was exhausted...physically, emotionally, and spiritually. How could I possibly formulate thoughts that would make sense?


Still no answer from the editor about the extended few hours for the deadline. I finally gave up and went to bed. I knew that these articles were due in the morning. I dozed off, praying that God would help me. I know Him as the God Who Sees. I know Him as the God Who Provides. I know Him as the God Who Hears. 


3:30 am. I awaken. Wide awake. Yes! God woke me up so that I could go write. Yes! Except that in my heart, I did not feel like that was why God awakened me. To my surprise, and honestly my distress, I felt He was telling me to lay there awake and pray and rest. 


I questioned Him. "Do you know I am really awake, Lord, and that some of my best writing occurs at 3:30 am? Are you sure I can't get up and finish these articles that are due in FIVE hours?" But, as best as I can hear God at 3:30 am, I really felt like He said, "I will bless you for doing what I am calling you to do. Rest and pray." So, from 3:30 to 5:30 am, I prayed. I prayed for Mom. For Dad. For healing. For my family. For my extended family. For grace. For love. For mercy. For my friends who were suffering. For my church family. For missionaries. For my ministry. For my calling. For anything and anyone God brought to my mind during those hours. 


At 5:30 am, I fell asleep and I slept until 6:15 when I had to get up and start getting ready for the day. After a quick cup of coffee and a peanut butter slathered waffle, I sat down at the computer. I was ready to write.


I decided to check my email. And there it was. An email from the editor of the magazine. He told me not only to take until the end of the day on Friday, but to take the weekend to finish the articles. To say I was relieved was an understatement.  I was incredibly grateful for the extension. 


And then I read the time stamp on the editor's email.


3:30 am. 


In God's economy, time is never wasted. In fact, it is usually multiplied. He is not bound by time. He can actually make time abound.


He is faithful, friends.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; 

His mercies never come to an end; 

  they are new every morning; 

great is Your faithfulness. 

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, 

“therefore I will hope in Him.” 

I would love to know how God has blessed you lately. Maybe with extra energy? Time? Please share below or here if reading by email. We celebrate the faithfulness of God! 

Living for ONE,

Kelli


If you are joining this series on Balancing Life today, you might want to go back and read the previous articles.


A Balancing Act: Juggling Life


First Things First


Priorities vs. Reality

Balancing Life Series: Priorities vs. Reality

At the risk of sounding very corny, I have composed some lyrics today for our blog time together.  I have either had too much coffee or not enough. 


In memory of Whitney Houston (one of my faves growing up), I would like for you to sing my lyrics to the tune of "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" If you don't know the song, well, you should. Anyway, sing along:

photo credit

Where does all the time go?
Can it find its way home
Back to my calendar
of a month that's flying by?
And If I really need it
Won't it always be there?
I look at my time
and I know that it is all, up to me












Still reading? Whew. Thanks to the few of you who continued after that. I am continuing the Balancing Life Series. If you missed the first two posts,  you can read them here:

• The Balancing Act: Juggling Life
• First Things First

Seriously, we wonder where our time goes. We pause at the end of the day and think, "What did I really do today?" If you are like me and find yourself having these discussions with yourself often, we might need some intervention.


You have heard the old adage, "You can identify someone's priorities by looking at their checkbook and their calendar." I believe there is some truth to that statement. How we spend our time or our money does indeed show what or who is important to us. But maybe what we want to be important to us doesn't really line up with what is showing up on the calendar or in the checkbook. Time for CHANGE.


I want to issue a PRIORITY CHALLENGE. Yes, I want us to take this next week starting today and ending with next Wednesday and really look at what's important to us. 
What are we going to do?

• Make a list of priorities -- what we really WANT to be important in our lives.
• Take a blank calendar and actually write in what you did in thirty minute blocks. Include everything - eating, sleeping, family time, working, shopping, cooking, reading, etc. Need a blank calendar? (Find one here.)
• I know many of us already have calendars with appointments and such on them - you can use them to remember things, but not to actually record for this week.

What I have found by doing this is that my reality (what I actually do with my time) does not line up with my priorities (how I want to use my time.) If I want my family to know that they are important to me, I need to use my time in a way that truly reflects that.

I know life is crazy. Trust me...mine is too. (just read my post about my life on a mine train.) But this challenge is to help us both. The worst that could happen is for 2012 to fly by and we wonder...where did all the time go? Let's not wonder anymore...let's figure it out!

If you are in on this challenge, then just comment, I'm in! We'll check back in next Wednesday and I might just give away a prize! (Like a CD with me singing my new time lyrics to Whitney Houston's music.) And if you are reading by email...I love you and you can comment here.

I believe God wants us to be good stewards and managers of everything He has given us - including our time. Living for ONE means using our time in a way that ultimately glorifies Him.

Living for ONE,

Kelli

linking with Courtney at Women Living Well

Balancing Life Series: First Things First

photo credit

Funny how God works.  A few weeks ago I posted a blog about juggling life and how important it is to have a family dinner. If you haven't read it, here's another chance...


So then life got super crazy right after that. Whether the enemy wanted me to look like an idiot, or God was growing my character, I don't know. The bottom line is balancing my family along with everything else became almost impossible. How do I have a family meal when I am taking care of my mom, being the taxi to two kids that are going in opposite directions, and still trying to be a decent wife that washes laundry occasionally and doesn't have cereal as a meal every night? Oh, and I forgot to include MINISTRY. Wow.


Let's face it. Life can be overwhelming at times. And beware, if you ever do a blog post about juggling life, be assured that you will have the opportunity to do that juggling life act for all the world to see.


So, what did I do? I had to take a step back and look at life and ask the Lord, "What do I need to do and what do I not need to do?"  


First things first. I realized that without my time with the Lord, I could do nothing. I would be a pitiful juggler. But with Him, I am learning.


My time with the Lord is and must be a priority. First things first. In order to be able to do anything else He has called me to...be a wife, mom, minister, daughter, sister, friend,etc., I have to spend time with Him.


I have found that my time with the Lord cannot be one of the things that I try to juggle. He actually steadies my feet and gives me the coordination to juggle the other stuff. So, when your life gets crazy and you are dropping more balls than you are catching, you might try seeking God in these ways.

• Mornings. Whether I have ten minutes or forty, I savor it. I am reading Jesus Calling and the correlating Scripture. If I have more than ten minutes, I try to read some Old Testament and some New Testament. And then have some prayer time. I am not a morning person...but I am even less of one without some time with Jesus. So, maybe you are not a morning person either, but I can guarantee that you will be less snarky after some time with the Lord. 
• Moments. I have to grab them when I can with God. Like when I am sitting next to Mom in the chemo room and she has drifted off to sleep. Or when I am waiting to pick up my kids from an activity. Or when I am in-between appointments at the office. Moments of rejoicing. Moments of desperation. Moments of just thanking Him. Moments of dreaming with Him. Moments of quiet rest in Him. Moments of enjoying Him.
• Mundane. Sometimes our lives seem so ordinary. But God is always...yes, always wanting to bring some extra to that ordinary. Do we notice it when He does? I will never forget the day that I was taking the kids to school, running late, and a peacock crossed the road. But I will save that story for another day. ;) Or the time Jesus asked me out on a date. (You can read about that here.) And one of my favorite times when God spoke through my cell phone. So let's look for Him...He is always at work!

Let God steady you so you can juggle life a little easier this week. Seek Him in the mornings (if you dare!), in the moments, and in the mundane. And PLEASE share... we'd all like to give Him praise on your behalf! If you are following by email, then comment here!  And make it a priority to come back Wednesday when we will be discussing...priorities. 

I appreciate you. 

Living for ONE,

Kelli

linking with Jen at Finding Heaven Today and the SDG community

A View from the Chemo Room

I felt like a fly on a wall. I was an observer. I watched as all of these adults of all ages sat quietly and patiently as the medicine dripped from its pouch into their veins. I sat next to my sweet mother who is going through chemotherapy for the second time in ten years.


As an observer, I experienced many different emotions and asked God many questions. I didn't watch television. I didn't read magazines. I didn't even blog or tweet or Facebook. I just watched. And listened. And prayed. 

As I did this, I noticed three major things:


1. All these people experiencing treatment are fighting for more life hours. In a room where life and death constantly battle, life is raising her sword and plunging forward. Life doesn't always win, but she fights hard. I pray for eternal life for all of these people because I know that is the only way life really wins. 


2. There is a kindred spirit in this room. They may all suffer from various types of cancer, but they are all suffering. They smile at each other, share stories of their struggles and their victories, and promise to pray for each other. They understand things that we observers don't. They speak a different language...a dialect of empathy. And though people struggle with various fatal health issues, this is the only issue I know of where people sit in a room and fight together.  There is a quiet sense of camaraderie. I long for their silent strength.


3. All of these precious people receiving chemotherapy have slowed, even halted their schedules. It is amazing how the busyness and business of life is forced to step aside. As I think about this, I wonder if this is one of the way God works good out of this trial. The rat race stops. The pulse slows. The unforced rhythm of grace overrides. I love that I get to spend hours on hours with my mom. We talk in between her drifting in and out of sleep. I caress her hand, her arm, her face. Yes, this is precious time. Time that might not have happened without this unrelenting disease called cancer.


Don't get me wrong. I sure wouldn't have asked for it. But I am trying to live for ONE...the One who created me, called me, and comforts me. I believe that living for One means following Christ with all that I am and desiring to see His purpose and His plan. What are you teaching me now, God? 


I am learning that life is precious. Live radically for a radical God.


I am learning that fellow warriors abound. No matter what we are going through...there is a sister or brother to share our burden. 


I am learning that God is a good God and He will bring good in every situation. His good right now in this circumstance? Slowing down. Resting. Enjoying His presence. Seeing Him at work.


You, friend, are such a blessing to me. I never thought in a million years that I would ever write anything that anyone would ever read. Though some of you I know in real life and some of you only virtually, you are a community of friends, of family, of faith. 


I would love to pray for you. Would you share your struggle with me today? Or maybe something God is teaching you through a situation you are experiencing? Comment below or if you are reading this via email, you can click here to comment.


Living for ONE,


Kelli

Yet I Will Rejoice!

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,  though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3: 17 - 18

I just shared with you last week about my life on a mine train. If you didn't get a chance to read it...click here. And if you did read it and you are wondering if it was a true story,yes it is! And if you are wondering why you have never heard it before...well, it is a memory I chose to forget!


Nevertheless, I know and am living proof that life is hard. There are days we just want to stay in the bed. Or go and bury ourselves somewhere and hope no one finds us for a few days. Sometimes we want to give in or give up. Some days we find ourselves crying out in desperation. 


In the verses of scripture above, Habakkuk reminds us that there will be days (maybe even years) that life appears hopeless. But we can CHOOSE to REJOICE! He uses that little word, "yet." In the Habakkuk context, it means despite the fact that life is hard and unfruitful and hopeless, I choose to praise my God.


I have the pleasure of sharing my heart about rejoicing in the face of opposition as I guest post at Keeping It Personal today. I encourage you to go there and read that short, but uplifting post as well. Here's the link: React or Rejoice?

We have a choice today as we look at our life circumstances. Will we choose to react, to give up, to get mad? Or will we choose to rejoice knowing and trusting that we have a God who loves us, who has a plan for our lives, and who is with us!


If you choose to REJOICE today, I would love for you to comment! We all need encouragement. We are a community of faith and we share each other's struggles. If you are reading by email and would like to comment, click here.


Living for ONE,


Kelli

My Life on the Mine Train

I remember it vividly. As we loaded onto the cars that would take us up and down and twisting and turning, there was a mixture of fear and thrill. You know that blending of emotions that causes you to want to throw up and jump up and down simultaneously. The fear starts to produce doubts, but the opportunity of a thrill enables you to get on this crazy roller coaster.

Yes, we climbed into our two-passenger seats and waited for the rote instruction... "Arms up as the safety bar comes down and locks in front of you." Except it didn't come down. The safety bar did not come down! We screamed for help and for the attendant to stop the train from beginning to move, but no one could hear us above all the other noise.

Thrill seemed to fade quickly as we literally hung on for life to the front of our car. Thankfully, there were only minor turns and hills before we saw another attendant. As we ascended onto one of the major hills, we yelled for the attendant to stop the train and pull down the safety bar. Once again, we were not heard. By now fear was our faithful attender. My aunt who was in the car with me did her best to support my twelve year old frame. The mine train coaster was in full motion now and we were about to rise to our highest peak. 

There at the top of the biggest hill was another attendant. Screaming at the top of our voices, we frantically yelled for the car to stop. Finally we were heard. The coaster was halted. Our safety bar which served as a belt to hold us in finally came down around our waists. Relief does not describe our feelings. Had we not been protected with the safety bar at that time, we most likely would have been thrown from the cars and badly injured.

My life has resembled that crazy mine train roller coaster lately. 

I am having my first article published in a printed magazine in April. UP.

My parents are both going through cancer treatment right now - Mom in chemo and Dad in radiation. DOWN.

My speaking ministry is taking off and I am so excited to see what God is going to do! TWIST.

My house is so disorganized, it is a miracle that I ever get anything accomplished. TURN.

Just spent the weekend with my husband of 20 years ministering together at a Marriage conference. UP.

There are relationships in my life that desperately need healing. DOWN.

You get the picture. There are times I jump on board this roller coaster called life with that same mixture of fear and thrill. And there are times that I wonder if Someone forgot to pull down the safety bar. I feel out of control. Desperate. I cry out and don't feel heard at times.

BUT JESUS. Even though life is crazy, unpredictable, lonely, and broken, we have a GOD WITH US. We have a GOD WHO SEES. We have a GOD WHO HEARS AND LISTENS. We have a PROTECTOR and a PROVIDER. JESUS is our SAFETY BAR. He is our ATTENDANT. He will never leave us or forsake us. He LOVES US! 

I hold on to you for dear life,

and you hold me steady as a post.  Psalm 63:8

Friend, whatever you are going through, I want you to know that God loves you and He will never abandon you. Even when you feel you are not being heard, He is there. Trust Him. He has a plan for your life and it is greater than you could ever ask or imagine. I feel that we are a community here. I have shared some of my struggles, would you share yours, so we can pray for you?

Living for ONE,


Kelli 


joining in with Jen at SDG...come join us!