Category: Procrastination

Posted on in Life is Short, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Personality, Procrastination, Wisdom

3,000 Emails

It’s no surprise I love to read. It’s a wonderful way to learn! I enjoy physical books, ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, pamphlets, and online reading. Growing up, I used to read for an hour each afternoon on the school bus. I also have a little free library in my front yard.

Reading and learning were always family priorities, and I also am instilling the love of lifelong learning in Lydia. She’s also well on her way to becoming an excellent reader.

I have an ever-growing ‘to be read’ book pile, but I’m especially fond of trivia (or otherwise random data!). My intuitive brain loves those details that connect everything together, but on their own don’t mean much.

Knowledge is a wonderful gift, but if I’m not careful, too much data input can be distracting. I’ll read a book or article and stop to look up something trivial. That will lead to another tangent and before long, I’ve got a whole lot of random ideas with no real purpose. If I don’t refocus my attention, my concentration is lost and I make no progress!

I love both ‘snail mail’ and electronic mail. Sometimes, I sign up through email to learn more about a topic. I like receiving free handouts, recipes, devotionals, guides, and more.

Well, as you can imagine, the emails stack up and I don’t get around to reading them all! Lately, it has been difficult to answer important emails because I’ve had so many to sort through. Time for an electronic cleanup!

On Monday, I woke up early and took advantage of the quiet. I purged about 500 emails right away. That fueled my motivation, prompting me to search topically and delete more.

I cleared out junk mail, spam, and advertisements. I unsubscribed from several newsletters, too. Many of them were nutrition-focused with yummy recipes I hope I can find later online. If not, I’ll find something similar!

Over the last 48 hours, I have deleted over 1,800 emails. It feels so good, and I still have more to go! I may never get to zero, but now I’m excited to check my email and read what I have left.

I don’t feel overwhelmed, and I don’t feel like I am avoiding my inbox anymore!

Life is too short to live distracted. Years from now, the status of my inbox will not matter any more than my to-do list. So why waste time or mental energy hoping I’ll get around to it? If it was truly important, I would have prioritized it by now!

We were never meant to hold onto extra burdens with no meaning. Who has time for 3,000 emails?! Even if many of the emails had good content, it was just too much.

Maybe your inbox isn’t a problem. But, maybe your focus is on organizing your pantry, art project, yard, finances, or relationships. Anything can distract us.

We have a daily decision to make. Do I put my hope, trust, and effort in Jesus or the World? One has Eternal value and the other will not last. Choose wisely!

If our eyes are on Jesus, we will avoid wasting time on useless distractions. (Sometimes, we have to make a sacrifice!) If something is from God, it will have a purpose and bring life. And, if it is not, it will fade away because it does not matter.

Even in challenges, with God’s help, we will be energized. If He is in it, we will bear an abundance of fruit. It probably won’t be easy and it might take all we have, but we will have focus and not be completely drained!

Jesus is worth every second and every breath… 3,000 emails… not so much!

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Heavenly Father, thanks all You do for us. Thanks for redirecting us and giving us an eternal perspective. Help us put You first and live wholeheartedly for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you check email regularly? Have you ever gotten your inbox to zero? What changes might God be asking YOU to make?

Tasks: Start purging old emails! And, ask God to direct your path so you can hear His voice and follow Him.

 

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Procrastination, Wisdom

Finding Grace #147

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This was one of my favorite weeks of the year! We celebrated Christmas and then have been relaxing ever since! Most of the time, we are going-going-going so I really value the “free time” this week provided. I relish unstructured days, and often not being productive is actually the best way to ‘get things done.’

From Wednesday until Friday morning, we had a blizzard. Thankfully, we didn’t have too many plans. We were happy to stay home; we played games, watched movies, and made some extra treats! We did cancel a playdate on Thursday, but that can be rescheduled.

On Friday, I went to clear snow, but my snowblower wasn’t working. I’m not sure what’s wrong, but my neighbor cleared my driveway instead! He did about 5 driveways, not including his own. What a blessing!

On Friday, Lydia and I went to my two-week follow-up appointment. It was bitter cold outside, but my eyes look good after Lasik surgery! I still have some healing to do, but I am grateful for the outcome so far. Technology is amazing!

Today, we did a few chores which included taking the Christmas ornaments off the tree and putting away some decorations. The tree and other wintery items will stay out a while longer. The cold will last a few more months, at least!

I’m grateful for how God always directs our path and blesses us. He is so good!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Procrastination, Travel, Wisdom

2018 Annual Review

Happy Boxing Day!! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. 😉

Lydia and I had our best Christmas yet! We really appreciated receiving some invitations to join others, but we ended up doing our own thing instead.

On Christmas Eve, we hosted another family from church. We enjoyed celebrating Jesus with them! We ate yummy food and had great conversation.

On Christmas Day, we enjoyed a relaxing breakfast and then opened presents. Lydia received several fun gifts, including some clothes, books, games, and science kits.

After that, we talked with some friends and family. We thought about going to the movies, but decided to go sledding instead. We had so much fun and even saw another family enjoying the chilly day. It was perfect.

Later, Lydia played with some of her new toys while I exercised. Then, we put together some bath goodies from one of the science kits. She’s never been so excited to take a bath! 😉

Finally, after a relaxing day, we watched a Christmas movie together. We have the rest of the week off as well, so I’m sure we will do some more fun activities!

This year flew by. Thankfully, it had more ups than downs. We saw God’s grace all around us in more ways than we can count. He is so faithful.

Lydia and I took some fun trips and spent time with loved ones. We stepped foot in at least 6 states. I’m grateful for my car and God’s protection and provision!

This year, we both pushed our limits and tried new things. Everything from recipes to outdoor Christmas lights. One highlight is that we went kayaking and Lydia loved it!

Lydia has done well in school and enjoys learning. My job is stable and I feel like I am making a difference. I’m so grateful for God’s blessings!

This year, I have felt humbled in many ways. I have become more aware of my flaws and all that I still need to learn. (Yes, I’m human!) 😉

I usually set a lot of goals, but didn’t meet most of them this year. I met my most important goals, but still left a lot on the table. In order to prioritize a big project, I kind of slacked off elsewhere! I made progress, but I also have a lot to finish or catch up!

Still, I have learned to accept God’s grace for my perceived failures and trust Him to lead me. I’m grateful I don’t have to be perfect. Jesus is My Righteousness!

I’ll probably set similar goals this year (haha, I can’t help it!). But I have learned to give myself grace and be more present day-to-day.

This year, I have challenged several fears head-on and moved forward anyway. Despite not meeting all of my goals, I have still grown as a person, and am happy with who I am becoming! 🙂

Thankfully, God’s mercies are new every day. I just have to stay focused on Jesus and walk with Him. Everything else will work out in due time!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for walking with us each and every day. Thanks for all the grace You’ve shown us this year. Redirect my path and help me stay focused as You make me more like Jesus. In His Name, Amen

Questions: What were the highlights of your year? What did you learn and how did you grow? What will you change going forward?

Tasks: Consider setting SMART goals for the new year. Don’t worry if it feels like ‘too much’ for you to accomplish. Trust Jesus to direct your path!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Personality, Procrastination

Shredding Inadequacy and Indifference

This past Sunday, I was feeling a little blah (aka unmotivated and indifferent). I was also feeling inadequate. I’m sure there are several reasons, including needing to do a lot of housework, while running short on sleep and exercise.

On Sunday, it all was weighing me down because I have struggled to find a good routine lately and have not been meeting my personal goals.

So, on the way to church, I prayed to refocus on God and asked Him to make me a blessing to others at the morning service. Then, I heard a song that spoke to what I was feeling. Every moment can be used to worship God no matter what we are feeling.

Sad, bad, mad, glad, or blah…take it to Jesus!

Ironically, that day the pastor’s sermon was similar. The message was about reclaiming our soul (our mind, will, and emotions) from the world’s influences. We can easily get drained or lose sight of who we are in Christ if we don’t keep things in check.

I felt convicted that I need to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s nudges…humbling in a good way. I was also challenged because often I get stuck in a cycle of performance. Sometimes, I try to reach goals on my own, forgetting to rely on Jesus and what really matters.

It’s not all just paying bills, dishes, laundry, parenting and work. For me, it can also include too much social media times and games, or even too much reading. These activities are fine by themselves, but can be major distractions at times.

Quite possibly, my biggest soul killer can be too much thinking (daydreaming, problem solving, planning, or worrying about things I can’t control). I happen to enjoy thinking quite a bit, but want to make sure my thoughts are God-centered and not self-centered or fear-promoting.

On Monday, Lydia and I took my paper shredder to an office store. Random, I know, but mine was jammed—and had been for at least a month or two. (Yes, I also have been ignoring my to-be-shredded pile for far too long!) With a little nudge from God, I finally decided to ask for help with it.

Well, my shredder was beyond repair so I opted to buy a new one. I didn’t really want to spend more money, as I had recently been to that same store three other times (including for school and office supplies).

To my surprise, I found a floor model that was a major upgrade from my old shredder for about 75% off the original cost. This model was about the same cost as the tiniest shredder on the shelf. And, it was so big it took up the almost the entire cart!

In that moment, I felt God’s grace and love because He knew just what I needed. I had wanted a bigger shredder so I don’t have to empty the other one as fast. But I hadn’t planned to buy one because of the cost.

Thus, it felt like a blessing to get such a deal on this giant new shredder—like God hand-picked it for me! I’m grateful I didn’t miss what He wanted to do for me. Acknowledging God’s presence encouraged me and reenergized me!

Even something as trivial as a paper shredder can be a tool God uses to draw us closer to Him. It also felt like a positive step in tackling my messy office floor! Quite a few unruly piles of paper have accumulated over time!

Later, in another moment of brave humility (is that a thing?), I felt motivated to ask a friend for help. I need some accountability! She gladly agreed to come help me go through some boxes and clutter that have also been weighing me down.

Soon, we’ll chat and catch up as she helps me sort through shelves and stuff I have been putting off instead of putting away… Cleaning and organizing is better with friends, right?!

I’m grateful that God meets us where we are…mess and all.

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God, thanks for not giving up on me! Thanks for making me new from the inside out. May my heart and life bring You glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are ways that you take care of yourself (your soul)? How do you let God take care of you?

Tasks: Look for ways to revitalize your walk with Jesus. Look for Him in ordinary moments. Perhaps He has a surprise for you as you draw closer to Him!

 

Posted on in Being Gracious, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Procrastination, Wisdom

A Good Day for a Good Deed

This summer, I only have a couple main goals. First, get outside as much as possible. And second, introduce Lydia to as many of my favorite outdoor activities as possible. Pretty simple, but not necessarily easy…

Regarding my first goal… Often, on gorgeous days, I feel “stuck” indoors trying to complete my to-do list. I know that sounds lame, but I rarely feel caught up around the house. Still, I have realized that my chores, bills, and laundry will get done eventually. But certain opportunities—like perfect weather in Fargo—are sometimes few and far between!

I don’t want to miss a chance to connect with Lydia, other people, nature, or God’s abundant grace. I want to make the most of the time I have been given.

For my second goal… So far, we have gone birding and on a few bike rides. I’d also like to take Lydia canoeing locally to get her some experience. I’d also love to go on an extended road trip to hike or camp somewhere, but I might have to settle for some smaller day trips. I want to build up Lydia’s endurance but not make her hate the experiences…

This week, I’m extra proud of myself because yesterday, I had a lot of work inside…but I chose to ignore it until later so we could opt outside. Instead of procrastinating, I chose on purpose to postpone the work. As it happened, we accomplished both of my summer goals!

We went to Lindenwood Park near the Red River (bordering Minnesota). We started off on a new path looking for adventure. Lydia let me borrow a small backpack for my phone and keys, but she kept her emoji stickers so she could document ‘how she felt’ about the hike. Lydia wasn’t happy at first…she really just wanted to go to the playground!

On the hike (which was really more of a glorified walk), we saw a dog. Lydia thought it was a wolf because of its markings. 🙂 After several minutes of no one claiming the dog, I checked the tags and called the owner. Sure enough, the dog was lost!

On our way to meet the owner, we hopped on a (Park) golf cart with a man who was on the same mission. The ride was fun and the dog did surprisingly well at my feet. Lydia thought it was cool we could ignore the ‘wrong way’ signs and that all the cars had to slow down for us. It’s the little things, I guess…!

After we returned the dog, I ran into a coworker and her family. We chatted for a few minutes before I convinced Lydia to walk the half-mile or so to the playground. That quickly turned into a nature walk when she found several pinecones. We also took some selfies and slow-motion videos on the swings. Lydia decided her next emoji sticker would be a peace sign. 

It was an exciting afternoon, and I felt we were in the right place at the right time. As we were pulling up to our house, I ran into a neighbor who is a fireman. He previously agreed to help me replace the batteries in my fire alarms. The timing worked well yesterday, and I now have peace of mind. Also, I was grateful to knock that off my to-do list because the batteries were nearly 8 years old!

It’s funny how I often try to accomplish something on my own, but when I let go and follow God’s leading, it turns into a greater blessing! Yesterday, Lydia and I got to have fun together, experience nature, save a lost dog, take a joy ride, see some friends… And with God’s perfect timing, I still got my fire alarm batteries changed!

It was a good day for a good deed! We had quite the adventure and saw God’s grace in it all. I know if I had stayed inside, I would have missed so much!

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God, thanks for all You do for me! Thanks for guiding me and providing for me. Open my eyes so I can see You at work all around me—in big and small ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have any special summer goals or plans? What are your favorite outdoor activities?

Tasks: When possible, opt outside. Let God direct your path and lead you on an adventure. Don’t worry, your indoor chores will still be there when you get back! 😉

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Procrastination, Wisdom

What Are You Waiting For?

We spend a fair amount of our time waiting. Waiting for the elevator, green light, and next cash register. Waiting for the mail, waiting for our kids to get dressed, and waiting on the phone for technical support.

Whether we’re waiting for answers, waiting for a promotion, or just waiting for Spring, it’s easy to feel discouraged when we don’t see our circumstances changing as quickly as we want.

While we wait for breakthrough, we can doubt ourselves. Day by day, we can grow discouraged. Am I on the right track? Why did I think I could do this? This is more difficult than I thought. I’ll never finish this…

We can also doubt God in times of waiting. Fear, in combination with doubt, can make us misunderstand our Heavenly Father’s intention toward us. We may feel pretty desperate when we can’t feel His love.

But when I look at life through God’s lens, I see that, quite often, God is waiting for us!! Waiting for us to do what He said (obey), waiting for us to stop trying to control outcomes, waiting for us to have a better attitude…

God only has good in store for us. Instead of giving up on us, He gently coaches us along. If we seek Him while we wait, the time seems to be better spent.

When I think about it that way, it prompts me to consider how closely I am following Jesus. I want to walk in step with Him because then I will be in His perfect timing.

I don’t want to miss anything He has for me!

Praise God, there are several things we never have to wait for. To start, we have immediate access to God’s presence, salvation, and forgiveness. Today is the day of salvation!

We don’t have to wait on God to listen to Him, trust Him, obey Him, gain godly wisdom, or have internal peace. We also don’t have to wait to be kind, gentle, or gracious to others!

God is faithful. He knows exactly what we need…when we need it.

He is not slow in keeping His promises… He is patient with us. His love never fails!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for being so patient with me. Help me walk closely in-step with You, Lord. Help me listen and obey as You lead me. Thank you for directing my path! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What are you waiting for currently? Are you doing everything God has asked you to do?

Task: Determine to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. It may be difficult, but He is eager to help you!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Procrastination, Travel

Finding Grace #84

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This week was really good! We had a lot going on this week, though God was faithful to help us get through it all. My entry way light was replaced, which is a huge blessing. Now, I can cross it off my to-do list (after nearly a year of putting it off!).

This week, we had several late nights, due to meetings and activities. We had fun though! Surprisingly, Lydia wasn’t overly tired from staying up late. I had her take a nap one after school one day, which really helped. Perhaps she is also just getting used to the early mornings now!

Tuesday and Wednesday were full with work, writing, and church. At work lately, sometimes I’ve been using a new office in a different building. But I’ve called tech support about a half-dozen times for various issues. I had to request a certain program to be installed. Then, I had problems with logging into it. I also had to call about my printer, my mouse, and my phone. Hopefully everything is up to speed soon!

We haven’t been on any major road trips for a few months. But today Lydia and I went to Jamestown, ND, for a Junior Bible Quiz (JBQ) meet. We probably won’t travel to too many meets this year, but we enjoyed this one about an hour-and-a-half away! I didn’t have many expectations for Lydia, since this was her first time. Mainly, we were going to check it out so we know how everything works. Hopefully, when she is older, she will be able to jump right in! All in all, we had fun with friends and enjoyed a beautiful fall day!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Procrastination

Live Like You’re Loved

I’m tellin’ you somethin’
This racing, this running
Oh, you’re working way too hard!
And this perfection you’re chasing
Is just energy wasted
Cause He loves you like you are!

The lyrics above belong to the song, “Live Like You’re Loved,” by Hawk Nelson. I’ve enjoyed listening to the song since I first heard it. But lately, I have been listening to the lyrics a little more.

For whatever reason, I feel like I’ve had noticeably less energy lately. My lethargy could be related to the weather, stress, lack of sleep, etc. (or a combination of factors). However, I’ve been enjoying the rain we’ve had, don’t feel overstressed, and have been sleeping pretty well. So, who knows?

Quite possibly, I could just be worn out trying to doing too much!!

So go ahead and live like you’re loved
It’s okay to act like you’ve been set free
His love has made you more than enough
So go ahead and be who He made you to be

As I have considered these lyrics, I have taken the song to heart. When I think of all I still have to do, I take it to Jesus to help me sort it out. He loves it when we come to Him! I don’t have to be chained to my to-do list!

So, I have been intentional about taking breaks and resting. I’ve enjoyed reading, catching up on a favorite show, and calling a friend. Lydia and I have walked to a nearby park to play, colored, and made a fun treat together. On a couple of days, I’ve even squeezed in a short nap!

And live like you know you’re valuable
Like you know the one that holds your soul
Cause mercy has called you by your name
Don’t be afraid to live in that grace

I am grateful for God’s grace when I feel weak. I know with Jesus, I can do everything I need to do! He is my strength and my song. When I’ve specifically asked Him for help this last week, ultimately, I have been more productive throughout the day!

Yes, the Lord has given me everything I need. His mercies are new every morning and His grace is sufficient. Nothing can compare to His lovingkindness. Praise God!

Live like you’re loved, walk like you’re free
Stand like you know, who he made you to be
Live like you’re loved, like you believe
His love is all, that you ever need

This part of the song (above) is my favorite. It feels a little like a personal anthem. When I remember how much God loves me, I can hold my head up higher. I can smile and laugh and play. I can walk in freedom, knowing He gives me Victory. I don’t have get bent out of shape over imperfect progress. I can enjoy myself instead of stressing out!

“Live like you’re loved” could mean something different to each person and could vary by season of life. I love that we are all unique!

For me, it usually means acknowledging and honoring my weaknesses, inabilities, or failures. This often means asking for help and letting the Lord meet me where I am. Coming to Jesus is the best and first step. Lord, I need You!

I find ‘living loved’ also means recognizing when someone else needs help, because I’ve been there too. When I serve someone else, I notice my problems are not so urgent. Showing compassion is a win-win for all of us!

When I take the time to pause and soak up His love, I notice God all around me. He renews my joy and I can share generously with others. I don’t have to focus on my lack of energy (or other resources)… because with Jesus on my side, I will always have enough!

Life is short. Live like you’re loved!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for all You do for me. Thank You for renewed strength every day. As I depend on You, please give me energy and direct my steps. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What does “live like you’re loved” mean to you? What is something you can do to live loved right now?

Task: Listen to the song, “Live Like You’re Loved,” by Hawk Nelson!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Procrastination

Finding Grace #63

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done.
We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

I’m not sure there are enough words (or space!) to describe this week. It was really sweet to see how everything worked out, by God’s grace. It started with Mother’s Day on Sunday, which combined the 4th anniversary of Dave’s death on Monday, always makes me aware of the void in our lives…of all he is missing. However, both days went well. We had lunch on Sunday with a friend and an impromptu ice cream celebration on Monday with more friends. I felt God’s love all around me and many people checked in with me. Thank you!

Lydia’s last day of preschool was on Wednesday, so we prepared end-of-year gifts for her teachers. All year, Lydia had been asking me to get her main teacher a jar of pickles. (Apparently, she likes them!) So, for the last week of school, I finally agreed. We wrapped up two different kinds of pickles along with a gift card and thank you note for her teacher. Lydia decorated the bag with stickers. I hope she found much humor in it, because Lydia was really excited! (I explained the pickles were from Lydia, specifically…not me!) 😉

On Wednesday evening, we also had an impromptu pancake dinner ‘party’ with the neighbors. After school, I dropped their little boy off and we ended up staying. We were trying to decide what to have for dinner, and I said Lydia had been asking for pancakes all week. I ran home (across the street) for pancake mix, oranges, and my electric skillet. My neighbor supplied bacon and sausage! It was so fun (and delicious!)

On Thursday, a friend watched Lydia while I went to the dentist (no cavities!) and did some writing. I really appreciated her help and felt like I got a lot accomplished. Later, we joined our neighbors again for the Fargo Youth Run (one event of many, during the Fargo Marathon week). We all ran the half mile. Lydia was proud of her cape and “Finisher” medal! I prayed for good weather, as it has been a little cool and windy that day. It was a perfect evening for a run!

I’ve had a dull headache all on-and-off all week, so didn’t do as much as I planned on Friday. Instead, we decided to stay home and rest. Praise God! After a brief afternoon nap, I accomplished a few tasks after all. On a whim, I decided to mow the yard because it may rain for the next few days. I’m glad I didn’t procrastinate!

Today, we shopped for groceries before a gentle rain started. Then, a friend across the street came over to play. I did some reading, made a couple phone calls, and prepped some vegetables for the coming week. After a brief nap, Lydia and I are taking it easy tonight. Maybe we will enjoy a movie while it rains!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

 

Posted on in Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Procrastination, Wisdom

Good Goals, God’s Grace

Happy New Year! I hope your 2017 is off to a good start.

Do you make any New Year’s resolutions? Or do you choose ‘a word’ to mark your year?

When considering options for this year, I thought about making changes, choosing a word, or trying something new. But in the end, nothing really resonated with me.

So maybe I will just keep on my current path! That’s a good thing because I don’t think I could appreciate 2017 without my focus from last year.

2016 became a year of rest for me. I felt the need to apply more grace and more space to my everyday life. Once more, I realized I can only do so much. If I don’t remember to take care of myself, I won’t be able to take care of anything (or anyone) else.

Last year, I focused on getting adequate sleep, taking breaks, and keeping a restful mentality. It sounds fairly simple, but it required some effort! The hardest part was cutting out extra activities and distractions. I had to decline many new activities (even some really good opportunities).

I said “no” to finishing my to-do list every day (even when it kept calling my name!). I pushed back deadlines when necessary, instead of trying to push myself to reach an unreasonable goal.

With that restful attitude, I redecorated my house and make it a better representation of our life now. I’m so thankful I did, because now I have a better perspective going forward.

In terms of goals and growth, I don’t like to make drastic changes (though, sometimes I probably should!). Instead, I’d rather adjust my habits. It’s not rocket science, but it does take some determination. Because, of course, I like to take my sweet time…

This year, I am developing more self-discipline and consistency in my life. Nothing really new—just less excuses and procrastination! I am not adding any new tasks, but I have tweaked my routine—the timing and structure of it all!

Not super glamorous, but necessary.

Sure, I have specific goals for sleep, exercise, reading, water intake, and more. The common theme, however, is waking up early to accomplish these goals before Lydia wakes up. Or, at least as many of them as possible!

I could go on and on about SMART goals, accountability, or setting up a tracking system. I will spare you all that—but I am amazed at what I can do with a proper bedtime!

By simply readjusting my timeline, I’ve been getting enough sleep and using my time more wisely. I’ve had more energy early in the day, and sometimes can cross off a few more tasks. Generally, I have more wiggle room in my day…and a better attitude all around!

Of course, there’s always something to potentially derail me. Even this morning, I have had to switch things around and save them for later. I’ll always be a work in progress…

Thank God for His sweet and refreshing grace!

Still, I have a feeling that 2017 is going to be our most exciting year yet. There will be challenges, important decisions, and transitions. Lydia will start Kindergarten and we may try to squeeze in a trip or two. We have lots of options ahead!

But, truthfully, I can’t do it on my own.

I cannot maintain any level of success in my own strength. Trust me, I’ve tried and failed many times! A (recovering) perfectionist’s worst nightmare! 😉

Yes, the only way I will be successful is if I seek the Lord’s input first.

If I am too busy, always running around, I can’t ‘hear’ from the Lord. A slower pace and a more open schedule means less stress and more ‘listening time.’

God created me to do good things and He has the best plan for my life! So it’s wise to check in with Him before setting my schedule (see Ephesians 2:10).  A huge timesaver!

My victory comes from the Lord. My help comes from Him, too! Jesus sustains and defends me. His grace is more than enough to meet my need. I place my trust in Him!

So set goals. Yes, absolutely! But pray too. Ask the Lord for help.

Life is short. Don’t waste time on things that don’t matter. Only Jesus brings real, lasting change. Commit yourself and your plans to Him. Then you will have true success!

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Father God, thank You for the gift of Today. Thanks for new mercies, grace, and opportunities. Show me the path to take. Help me accomplish the tasks You have for me. I trust You, Jesus. In Your Name, Amen.

Questions: Are you trying anything new this month or year? How is it going?

Tasks: Commit your tasks and plans to the Lord. Trust Him to help you accomplish all He has for you!