Happy Monday. If anyone out there feels like me today-I need ALL the motivation I can get. I was thrown a couple of curve balls over the last week and week-end and feel I am still working to regain my footing. I am so glad I can rely on my Heavenly Father in those times. As I was planning out this week last week-I remembered a ton of other things that really need to get done instead. Last night I began to feel overwhelmed and a bit stressed out. I try hard to think too much when it's late and I am tired, things only seem worse. As I woke up this morning I felt excited about my quiet time, knowing it would be of great benefit for my weary soul. My prayer is that as I give Him my time and my week that He will direct me every minute, every day. I pray that I will remember that people are more important than tasks. I pray that I will trust Him completely. If you are feeling that way too, I pray you find encouragement today. Now to our regularly scheduled post:
Main Verse: Psalm 127:2 (NIV) "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-for He grants sleep to those He loves."
Main Thought: Build in Margin
Message: As I reflected on what the Lord would have me share today and in light of where I feel I am, I pray this brings encouragement to you today. Building in margin is very important and will be a benefit for both you and your family. What is it? Basically it's building in or allowing room/time for rest or down time. It is NOT making a to-do list that only Superwoman could complete. And as super as we all are-none of us can do it all. It's looking realistically at the tasks at hand and praying for wisdom to schedule those things and when and how to do them. I have started keeping a small spiral notebook with me(yes, I'm old-school) and writing things down as they come to mind-grocery list, call so and so, pick up medicine, e-mail so and so, pay this or that bill. Then I star the things that are non-negotiable. I then write the day of the week and date-one per page-and "schedule" those items. Trying to get it all done in one day is NOT a good idea. If I keep up with things as I go then I stay more relaxed and less overwhelmed. One thing that I have found works against me is when I do exactly the opposite of the verse above. I get up way too early thinking of all that I can accomplish and then stay up way too late trying to cram things in. Then what happens-I act much like a two year old the next day. I'm grouchy and everything seems so much worse and hard and impossible. I did not allow any margin. Then I am actually less productive. It's simple yet so hard at the same time. A few things that I have found helpful-only rinse dishes after breakfast and lunch and wipe up any big crumbs and spills and then after dinner have everyone pitch in and help clear off the table, wash dishes, clean counters and sweep. Keep paper and pen handy to write down things you need to do so you don't forget, I find that relieves a lot of stress of me trying to remember things. I grocery shopping once a week(or once every two weeks) instead of daily trips. It cuts down on cost and time. I keep a magnetic dry erase board on the side of the fridge and we right down things as we run out so that I can make my grocery list each week. Don't be afraid to ask your kids to help, assigning age appropriate tasks. Don't expect perfection but do take time to show them what you expect and then let them do the job. You are teaching them responsibility which will pay off in the long run. And don't get up too early or stay up too late on a regular basis-sometimes we have to do that every once in a while. But think of ways you can build in margin that work for you and your family. Allow the Lord to guide you in all you do. Praying you have a blessed Monday and a great week.
Tiffany
No comments:
Post a Comment