“Do you have time for that?”
That was my husband’s response when I mentioned I was going to apply for a board position with my women’s bible study on post.
He backed out of the driveway as I despondently watched the rain trickle down the window of the car. I quietly mumbled the only possible response I could give him, “Probably not.”
I recently made a commitment to invest more in my writing. More time. More money. More emotion. More everything. I already have a significant portion of those very same resources tucked away in my husband, my boys, My Messy Desk, and even in serving this same ministry in other capacities.
The only commodity we each have exactly the same share of is time. No more can be created, but plenty can be wasted. My dear husband’s sobering dose of reality on our way to drop the boys off at school gave me one more obstacle to clear. “Do you have time for that?” Please know that his question came from a place of love. As my partner, he, more than anyone else, knows just how high my plate is already stacked right now. To him, I often express feeling overwhelmed by my family responsibilities, my business, and the writing classes I just began. Still, I couldn’t shake the thought that God could somehow find a way to make it all work.
I maintained an internal dialog (this is how I “pray without ceasing” and it may or may not include talking out loud) with God on this idea as I went about doing what needed to be done before I walked out the door…showered, dressed, two loads of laundry sorted and started, 3 lunches made, dinner in the crock pot, counters and table wiped down, another coat of paint on some crosses I was painting to prepare for my next craft workshop, and the dishwasher loaded and running. I swung by the grocery store, picked up a fruit tray for our fellowship meal and was on the road by 8:30. I felt like a superhero, but it wasn’t until I was pulling into the chapel parking lot EARLY for PWOC that I understood the message God was sending me.
Ordinarily, all I want to do after dropping the boys off at school is flop in a chair, drink a cup of coffee and check facebook. This morning was different. I had the strength, energy, and the motivation to accomplish before 9 am what sometimes takes days! Even more miraculously, I wasn’t frantic about any of it. No part of my morning felt rushed or overwhelming. He was showing me in a way that I could not debate, that it can be done as long as I trust Him.
We may not have the hours, but God can make our minutes work.
I victoriously marched into the chapel knowing I had made the right decision.
Are you struggling with how best to invest your time? As you weigh your options, consider Ephesians 5:15-16, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Then, trust God “to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think; according to the power that works in us,” (Ephesians 3:20) so that all glory and honor may be His alone!
Jenny says
I struggle wth how to nvest my tme also. I try thngs. If they don’t work then I try somethng else. It’s not easy but worth t. Thanks.
Thank, Jenny! I recognze your photo from Equppng Godly Women lnk up and from COMPEL! Thanks for commentng!
One way we demonstrate our love for Chrst s by beng obedent to what He’s called us to do. When we do not look to the left or the rght He makes our way prosperous and gves us good success. Bless you for makng choces that honor God and honor your famly. Happy to be jonng you from Equppng Godly Women lnkup.
Thanks, Tyra! Great ponts! Obedence certanly makes a way for blessngs!
Thanks for sharng vstng from #fellowshpFrday. Ths post made me stop and thnk, thnk about the tme we do have and the tme we can waste so thank you for stoppng me procrastnatng longer!
Sharon, Thanks for you stoppng by! I can tell by the name on your ste, that we mght be polar oppostes… You would lkely de f I posted a pc of what my desk looks lke now!
Prayng you wll contnue to have the stamna needed……..God be wth you on ths journey….xo
I love how you say that we can’t create more tme but that God can make our mnutes work for us! He s capable of helpng us accomplsh more than we ever thought we could accomplsh!
I’m prayng that you touch so many lves n your new board poston.
Amen, Laura! Thank you! We’ll see where God takes me!
That’s a VERY mportant queston to ask, and I’m glad that your husband was brave enough to ask t. It’s one I need to ask myself more often-but I don’t always lke the answer!
I’ll tell hm you thnk he s brave! He helps me keep my balance for sure!!
H Lz,
I am Chrsty! I am also a member of Compel!
Yes, I have had moments lke that.
Knowng what to do can be rough. and you mght stll have challenges to juggle everythng along the way, but God can pull you through t.
And f I looked at everythng God asked me to do through a strctly human lens, there’s NO way I’d do half of what I do!
I am mpressed by your descrpton of your mornng-that actually was knd of super…”super-NATURAL!” 😉
Thanks, Chrsty! Trustng Hm!! Hope to see you around the Compel forums!
What a great remnder about dong what really matters! I too strugle wth tme management, but I thnk when the Lord lays somethng on our hearts, we need to go wth t. He wll bless our efforts, and carve a way when there seems to be no way
Absolutely! Thanks for the words of encouragement, Msty!
rebekah says
Great advce
Thanks, Rebekah! Glad you stopped by!