As I type this, not one or two, but THREE houses across the street from me are getting new roofs. The trash truck is on it’s way down the street with it’s compactor running, my phone has rang twice, my son (who is still in his car seat despite the fact I got home nearly thirty minutes ago) is half squealing, half laughing at something incredibly funny on the back of his own hand, the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer are all going, and there is actually a bird flapping and pecking at my side window, trying to get in. I’ve already had two visitors stop by.
I have 4 hampers of laundry that need folded and put away (not including the load in the washer and the load in the dryer), I need to make a dish to take over to a friend’s house tonight, figure out how to get a Crystal Light stain out of the carpet, clean my bathroom, make my bed, sweep the kitchen floor, write this blog, take care of the baby, pick my 7 year old up from school, help him with his homework, and get everyone ready to leave the house by 5:30 to get to dinner. And I’m sure the kids will be playing outside tonight so when we get home, my husband and I will need to tag team showers and bed time. I only have two kids. My best friend is pregnant and about to adopt 2 children in addition to the five she already has.
Life is not always calm. We live in a very busy culture that (despite modern conveniences) seems to just be getting busier and busier. Average, everyday tasks and chores can take up all of our time if we let them. Making time for priorities is not something that comes naturally, it is a learned behavior.
What priorities do you push out of the way in order to make room for everything else you’ve got going on? Time with the family? Exercise? Sleep? Time with God? Or if you are a busy parent, maybe it’s simple things like brushing your teeth and showering! Whatever it is, you need to ask yourself how much of a priority it really is to you if you are willing to sacrifice it in order to do something else.
And on the flip side, what things are you filling your time with that aren’t really necessary? How many hours a week do you spend on sports and extracurricular stuff? Are you working too much? Are you obsessed with having a clean house? How about TV and Facebook, how much time do you spend looking at those that could be used more efficiently?
For years I said that I didn’t have time to exercise, and I think that was true. The way that I structured my day didn’t allow for it. It apparently wasn’t THAT high on my list of things to do. But recently I have made myself spend at least 30 minutes a day doing something. If that means sacrificing a TV show or asking my child to do an extra chore in order to free up some space, then that’s what I have been making myself do. There have been a few days when I’ve tried to weasel my way out of it but my husband pushes me. I’m completely annoyed with him in the moment but he knows that this is important to me so he sticks to his guns, and after I am done I appreciate it…just don’t tell him that.
What are your priorities? Are you treating them with the importance that you think they deserve? If your not, sit down and look at your schedule. Pay attention to what it is that you have deemed as more important and make the necessary changes. Reaching your goals depend on it.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16
“How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” Proverbs 6:9-11
I have 4 hampers of laundry that need folded and put away (not including the load in the washer and the load in the dryer), I need to make a dish to take over to a friend’s house tonight, figure out how to get a Crystal Light stain out of the carpet, clean my bathroom, make my bed, sweep the kitchen floor, write this blog, take care of the baby, pick my 7 year old up from school, help him with his homework, and get everyone ready to leave the house by 5:30 to get to dinner. And I’m sure the kids will be playing outside tonight so when we get home, my husband and I will need to tag team showers and bed time. I only have two kids. My best friend is pregnant and about to adopt 2 children in addition to the five she already has.
Life is not always calm. We live in a very busy culture that (despite modern conveniences) seems to just be getting busier and busier. Average, everyday tasks and chores can take up all of our time if we let them. Making time for priorities is not something that comes naturally, it is a learned behavior.
What priorities do you push out of the way in order to make room for everything else you’ve got going on? Time with the family? Exercise? Sleep? Time with God? Or if you are a busy parent, maybe it’s simple things like brushing your teeth and showering! Whatever it is, you need to ask yourself how much of a priority it really is to you if you are willing to sacrifice it in order to do something else.
And on the flip side, what things are you filling your time with that aren’t really necessary? How many hours a week do you spend on sports and extracurricular stuff? Are you working too much? Are you obsessed with having a clean house? How about TV and Facebook, how much time do you spend looking at those that could be used more efficiently?
For years I said that I didn’t have time to exercise, and I think that was true. The way that I structured my day didn’t allow for it. It apparently wasn’t THAT high on my list of things to do. But recently I have made myself spend at least 30 minutes a day doing something. If that means sacrificing a TV show or asking my child to do an extra chore in order to free up some space, then that’s what I have been making myself do. There have been a few days when I’ve tried to weasel my way out of it but my husband pushes me. I’m completely annoyed with him in the moment but he knows that this is important to me so he sticks to his guns, and after I am done I appreciate it…just don’t tell him that.
What are your priorities? Are you treating them with the importance that you think they deserve? If your not, sit down and look at your schedule. Pay attention to what it is that you have deemed as more important and make the necessary changes. Reaching your goals depend on it.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16
“How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” Proverbs 6:9-11
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