Praying for the wisdom and grace...

....to know what needs to be done today.

Back when we were in Malaysia, we really struggled with feeling like there was too much to do.  We had fourteen students in our care, some with some pretty intense special needs, and there never seemed to be enough time to do everything that needed to be done.  I constantly felt like I was failing as a dorm mom because I couldn't meet all the needs of everyone every day.

We often talked with our supervisors about this.  I was always hoping for some solution -- some way to get the work load to a manageable amount so that I wasn't heavy-laden with guilt every day.  Instead of offering me an easy solution, my supervisor (in her wisdom) often encouraged me that the goal wasn't to get it ALL done EVERY day.  The goal was to pray that God would give me the wisdom and grace to know what was most important TODAY.  And what is most important today may not necessarily be what is most important tomorrow. What a lesson and a process this has been for me.  I don't think I quite have the hang of it, and I certainly haven't released all the guilt that comes with not getting it all done every day, but I am making progress in the realization that God knows there are only twenty-four hours in a day and therefore only a certain number of things can be done each day.

I sound as if I am overwhelmed.  In truth, I'm not.  I guess that must mean that I am grasping this concept a little bit.  I can't do it all. Well, at least not every day.  I just need to be in tune with God enough to know what is priority today.

One of those priorities that keeping slipping down my less (due to the tyranny of the urgent) is spending quality time studying.  I have lots of quiet moments with God throughout the day...lots of prayers said as I watch my kids, lots of thanksgivings said as I see God's blessings pouring in.  But I haven't taken the time to study God's word lately...to really dig deeper and come to know Him in a more intimate way.

When I was in college I had an amazing professor who took me under his wing. We had lots of great discussions about psychology and about life in general.  I learned so much from this wise man.  But the most important thing I gained from him was an understanding of in-depth Bible study.  He taught me the methods of inductive Bible study and I was a part of studies at his house for three years.  I even led at times. I LOVED it.  My brain just works like this...I like to dig deeper, to truly understand what a passage is saying, to get more than just the fluff of most devotionals. 

So, a few weeks ago I decided it was time to get back into it.  I signed up for a Precept course on the book of Daniel at my church.  And today is my first day.  I am excited.  I am excited to have the encouragement and accountability that a group offers.  I am a little worried about fitting yet another thing into my schedule but that is where that prayer of wisdom comes in.  What is most important today?

*************

Thank you so much to everyone who has shared their love of templates with me!  It has been fun and encouraging to read why templates have helped you.  It makes me glad to do what I do.  If I know that families are having more memories preserved then my time has been well spent.

However, I will say that you all are going to make it almost impossible for me to choose a "winner."  Ack.  I know I will need to pick someone but it is going to be HARD.  So many good explanations, so many good stories.  I'll keep reading and hoping that no one is disappointed!

*********

The FAT PACK is up in the store!  I am so excited about all of these templates. I have really enjoyed playing with some of them and am so excited that I am getting pages scrapped!  Here are a few more that I have done...

I'll update later with credits.  Right now I have a sweet little one year old who wants to get out of bed :)

The CD albums should be up later today or tomorrow morning.  I had so much fun making them!  Can't wait to show you!

HAPPY TUESDAY!

Comments

[Brooke - in Oregon]

Wisdom and Grace, for some reason this just resonated with me. I might not have a dorm full of kids to care for, but I do get that feeling like I am just not getting EVERYTHING accomplished. Thanks for your writings today :)

[Crystal Frey]

Thank you so much for your words today. I find myself at times dealing with the same thing..trying to fit it all in. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one. I too need to spend more time focusing on God and what I can do for Him rather than what He can do for me. Sometimes it's hard to think that way, especially when things are going good in your life.

I also would like to wish you the best with your new course. I hope that you get all there is to get out of it!

I adore your Things I'm In Love With LO. Your journaling is precious!

[Andrea C.]

Janet -- You just amaze me! Your blog is an inspiration to me every single day with every single post and I hope that lots of people are coming through here and picking up all of the advice you throw out there. Thanks for sharing today!

BTW........love your layouts as usual. Gorgeous stuff :)

[Kresta]

Wow, the line that really got me in your post was "tyranny of the urgent". That says volumes about how we let what's physical and in front of us really take over. God, in the physical sense, is not really standing right in front of this (though His word is), so it becomes too easy to put Him off 'til later. Thanks for turning my heart to this today.

I'm part of a Bible study at my church for moms of little ones. We have done a few devotional-type or topical books, but the main focus of the study is to study and understand and know God's word and what He wants to reveal about Himself through it. Right now we're studying Hosea. Then we're going to read the novel "Redeeming Love" that is based on Hosea's story.

Thanks for all your inspiration, Janet. You are so transparent on your blog and that is very endearing.

[Hollie]

Gosh--I remember my IVF staff worker handing out a little booklet to read and it was actually called "The Tyranny of the Urgent." I've never forgotten that phrase since LOL! And I am just like you--I have always loooooved in-depth Bible study, but it has slipped waaaaay down for me as well. I belong to a weekly Bible Study, but it's still not the same. I don't have the time to do what I desire with Bible Study and I haven't figured out how to get that back into my schedule. I've even contemplated getting my Seminary degree (there is a really good distance learning program through Liberty U) but I still don't know if it would make me crazy...
Anyhow, looooooove the LO's and thanks for continuing to share:)

[Sarah]

Another truly inspiring post Janet! It has become great fun to wake up in the morning and read your blog!! Love the fat pack!!

[MandaKay]

Good for you for picking up a Bible Study - I know God will bless that time and give you suffiecient time to do the most important things! The LO's are so fun and happy!!! Love them!

[Shabby Miss Jenn]

OH WOW Janet! You guys give so much of yourselves in what you od. Just amazing! God is totally blessing you for all the time you invest!!!!!

xxooxxxox