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! 

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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: First Things First

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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

The Purpose of Difficulty: On Purpose Wednesdays

It has already been "one of those days." And it is only 9:00 AM! I forgot to do something that is due on someone's desk -- today. I received an email with news I didn't want to hear -- and honestly don't want to deal with. I have a to-do list with at least 10 items -- and that is being conservative. And my seventh grade homeschooler is testing this week. 

I am a huge fan of Sarah Young and her "Jesus Calling" devotional. I read it every day and there are always words that stir my heart. Yesterday these words leaped off the page: 

Though the Holy Spirit is infinite, He deigns to be your Helper. He is always ready to offer assistance; all you need to do is ask. When the path before you looks easy and straightforward, you may be tempted to go it alone instead of relying on Me. This is when you are in the greatest danger of stumbling.        Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Back to my day. The path does not look easy. I am struggling. And I found myself literally crying out to God for his help. His knowledge. His direction. His love. His mercy. His grace. I am in desperate need. I cannot do it by myself. 

Unfortunately, my yearning for Him is not as great when life is going great. 

It is in the difficulties that I am reminded that He is always present even when I am presently distracted.


It is in the difficulties that I trade my independence for His intervention.


It is in the difficulties that I see my great need of Him and His great love for me.


It is in the difficulties that I learn to trust Him even though He is always trustworthy.


It is in the difficulties that I realize my inadequacy and His insurmountable power.


It is in the difficulties that I am silenced and He speaks.

What do you learn in difficulties? I would love to hear from you today! If you are reading by email, you can click here to comment. 

Unwrapping the gift of difficulties,




Kelli








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