Laced With Grace

How do spend your time?

Do you ever have days when you realize that you got nothing done that you set out to do?

Do you spend countless hours watching TV or playing games on your computer?

I believe it’s important to have balance in life.  It doesn’t have to be all work and no play.  But for me, I’ve found that I need some order if I’m to live a godly life.

Psalm 90:12 says:

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

I have certain responsibilities.

• I am a wife.
• I work full time outside the home.
• I have aging family members who need help at times.
• I have friends.
• I have a church family.
• I have daily and weekly chores to keep up with.
• I want to stay fit and healthy.
• I cook.
• I love photography.

I have to prioritize my  needs and my wants.  Otherwise, I’m always dealing with the urgent at the last minute.  Planning helps me stay on track.

• My day starts with a daily quiet time.  For me, this is a priority.  Spending time in God’s Word, prayer and sitting quietly before Him has been so beneficial for me.  I am a better wife, friend, employee when I get filled in this way instead of always looking to get filled from others.  And I have to say I’m less disappointed when I’m not so dependent on how others treat me.
• I have an overall mission for my life.  I am a disciple of Jesus.  No matter where I go or what I’m doing, my goal is to be a light that shines the love of Jesus.  And when this happens, He gets the credit.
• Pray without ceasing.  Yes, this sounds impossible but it’s really not.  I begin in the morning and it’s often an ongoing stop and start conversation all day long.
• I spend a certain amount of time on my computer doing email, writing blog posts and reading other blogs, Facebook, Pinterest and doing research on social media.  I think you get the idea.  But I really don’t spend time on online games because I simply don’t have the time.
• When I’m with a person, I try to give them my time and attention while I’m there.  I don’t text, talk on my cell, or daydream about something else.
• I’m working on establishing a specific time to exercise.  I haven’t been successful recently since I have a long drive to work and a long day at work.  But I’ve been able to do this in the past so I haven’t given up.

So, how about you?

Are you a planner or do you get through your days come what may?

I think we could all use some help in this area of time management.  However, I want to end this post with another Scripture verse.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

You may be in a season of raising little children.  Or you may be in a season of caring for an aging parent.

This season will eventually end.

Will you look back and know that you did your best during this season?

Blessings and love,

 

Do you get distracted when you pray?

I have to admit that at times …I do.

I begin by praising God for who He is.  I thank Him for what He has done.  I acknowledge my trust in Him.  But as I begin to get into my time of intercession, suddenly my mind wanders to my to-do list or something flashes through my mind that I forgot to do.  Before I realize it, more time has gone by and I have to get ready for work.

At night as I lie in bed, I pray.  I realize the next morning that I fell asleep while I was praying.

Before Jesus was arrested, He went to Gethsemane to pray.  He took Peter, James and John with Him.

Mark 14:32-34 says: “They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”  He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.  ”My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them.  ”Stay here and keep watch.”

While Jesus was praying, He asked a simple request of His disciples.  Stay here and keep watch.

Mark 14: 37-38 says: “Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.  ”Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep?  Could you not keep watch for one hour?  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

I have to admit that I probably would have been like Peter and fallen asleep.  I feel saddened as I think of that.

I thank God for His grace and mercy.

I started including a few helps for me to use during my prayer time to keep me focused.

• I use 3×5 cards with Scripture verses that I pray back to the Lord.
• I have a book called “31 Days of Praise” by Ruth Myers and I often use it as I praise Him.
• I keep a list of prayer requests in front of me.
• I sometimes sing to the Lord (even though I may be off key).
• I have learned that it’s OK to continue my prayers throughout the day.

My list certainly isn’t complete but I know that you have some thoughts and points you might add to help me and others who get distracted.

Will you offer some suggestions for those who get distracted when they pray?

Blessings and love,

 

Where do you turn for help?  When life gets hard, do you run to tell others?  Or do you keep to yourself as you try to figure out a solution?  Maybe you try to pretend that nothing has changed to keep up appearances.  Or do you get so depressed that you don’t want to leave your home?

I recently watched a movie called The Company Men.  The story followed three men who lost their corporate jobs due to downsizing in the company.  The recession impacted the bottom line and so employees were let go.  It was interesting to see how each man dealt with this loss.

One man continued to leave his house at the usual time carrying his briefcase and returning home as usual so the neighbors wouldn’t realize he had no job.  Another man continued to go to the country club and golf despite the fact that he was unable to pay the monthly fees.  Keeping up appearances seemed to be so important to him.  Another man was so devastated and depressed, he spent time drinking alone in a bar.  Suicide seemed to be the direction he was heading.  Another man took a job that payed much less money and moved into his parent’s home with his wife and children to help make ends meet.

Although this movie was fiction, it resonated with me.  After all, this seems to be happening every day across the U.S.  People lose jobs, homes, loved ones to illness.

I was saddened to read the local news this past week.  A well known radio personality in my city was found dead along with his wife in a hotel.  It turned out that they were dealing with devastating financial and health issues.  They didn’t want to live and so they ended their lives leaving notes for their loved ones.  People were shocked by this news.  But people often take things into their own hands.

Where do you turn for help when you feel desperate?

Psalm 46:1-3 says:

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, thought the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

These Scripture verses have so comforted and strengthened me during the past few years.

I experienced several major life changes and issues. I wish I could say I handled everything properly but that wasn’t always the case.  But one thing I always came back to and that was the ONLY ONE who had all the answers; the Lord.

I made the daily choice to pour out my heart to Him.  I prayed and asked for His help.  As I read my Bible, I realized that there was a purpose and plan for my life even in the midst of uncertainty and pain.  I learned many valuable life lessons through the painful trials.  And I’ve come to a point in life where I can truly empathize with others who are going through difficulties.

I encourage you to turn to the Lord when you need help.  He will lead, guide and direct you.  And in the process, He will provide His comfort and strength to get your through no matter how impossible it feels.

And when people ask you how you do it, you can give God all the glory.

Blessings and love,