I have to be honest with myself. I struggle with procrastination. Each day, I find it difficult to get out of bed. I'm not sure why that is, but I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that it's difficult for me to get to sleep at night. That's not entirely "nature's" fault. Sometimes I spend too much time on my cell phone, reading ads on Craigslist or looking at Facebook. Last night, I couldn't believe when a whole hour just flew by and I was still looking at stuff on my phone. Of course, Craig is sleeping beside me...he falls asleep so fast. Last night I think it was record speed-about 90 seconds.
Each day I struggle. I was doing pretty good for most of this week. I was showered and dressed by the time Matt went to school. Today...not so much. In fact, I'm still in my pajamas. I'm planning on taking a shower when Caleb goes down for his nap. Then I'll have to spend some time writing. I'm just not feeling it today. I don't know why. It's kind of a blah day.
I know I need to start spending more time in prayer. I kind of feel like my spirit is tired. There's so much going wrong in the world right now, and I think it's messing with me a little bit. I don't usually pay too much attention to the news. Craig is good about filling me in on stuff.
I don't want to rehash all of that stuff here. Nor do I want to go over it in my mind. I just know I need some motivation. Somehow. I'm just struggling today...
Friday, January 11, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Making The Most Of Every Opportunity
Colossians 4:5-6 says, "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
I realize that as I write this, I'm taking a portion of this verse of out context. But this particular portion spoke to my heart this morning when I considered some of the things I had heard or read. There was a word that also kept repeating itself in my mind. Prayer.
I will be the first to admit that my prayer life isn't everything I would like it to be. I think there are many reasons behind that, but they all only add up to a bunch of excuses. I should be praying way more than I do. And to say, "My work keeps me so busy" or "I slept really late so I got behind on other things", just doesn't cut it.
The first instance I saw this morning was a Facebook friend saying, "I'm up way too early. Grrrrr." My instant thought was, "God wants you to pray!" I didn't say that to her...I probably should have. Second, my best friend from college told me this morning that her father was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. My first thought was, "Pray for healing!" While I was talking to her, my husband texted me and told me that the truck he was driving today broke down and he has to wait for someone to come and fix it. I just texted him and told him that I felt like God wanted him to use this time to pray.
How often do things happen that we consider inconveniences in our lives (or even tragedies), and all God wants is for us to stop for a second and talk to Him?
According to Scripture, we're supposed to make the most of every opportunity. In this particular passage, I know God is talking about being a witness for Him to other people. But what about other opportunities we're presented with? Are we making the most of those opportunities?
I'm talking to myself as much as I'm talking to anyone else. So, please don't feel that I'm pointing my finger at you.
When I'm sitting in the doctor's office waiting for an appointment, do I make the most of that opportunity? Do I read the Bible on the app on my phone? Or do I sit there and play games? How about when I'm sitting on the couch while my husband is watching something that only he likes on television? Or when I am at the store and I see someone who needs help? There are a million different scenarios and a million different opportunities. I'm not saying I need to completely stop everything that isn't "Godly". For instance, I don't really think God cares if I play the "Bubble Pop" game on my phone. But, each of those things has their place. Facebook has its place. My business blog has its place. My clients have their place. None of them should take the place of God.
Sometimes God creates times for us when we'll want to spend a few minutes with Him. Time that's out of the ordinary time. I spent time with God this morning when I did my devotions. It was beautiful, rich time. But when He calls my name today because He wants me to be with Him again...will I be listening?
I'm going to work on that. I hope you will too.
I realize that as I write this, I'm taking a portion of this verse of out context. But this particular portion spoke to my heart this morning when I considered some of the things I had heard or read. There was a word that also kept repeating itself in my mind. Prayer.
I will be the first to admit that my prayer life isn't everything I would like it to be. I think there are many reasons behind that, but they all only add up to a bunch of excuses. I should be praying way more than I do. And to say, "My work keeps me so busy" or "I slept really late so I got behind on other things", just doesn't cut it.
The first instance I saw this morning was a Facebook friend saying, "I'm up way too early. Grrrrr." My instant thought was, "God wants you to pray!" I didn't say that to her...I probably should have. Second, my best friend from college told me this morning that her father was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. My first thought was, "Pray for healing!" While I was talking to her, my husband texted me and told me that the truck he was driving today broke down and he has to wait for someone to come and fix it. I just texted him and told him that I felt like God wanted him to use this time to pray.
How often do things happen that we consider inconveniences in our lives (or even tragedies), and all God wants is for us to stop for a second and talk to Him?
According to Scripture, we're supposed to make the most of every opportunity. In this particular passage, I know God is talking about being a witness for Him to other people. But what about other opportunities we're presented with? Are we making the most of those opportunities?
I'm talking to myself as much as I'm talking to anyone else. So, please don't feel that I'm pointing my finger at you.
When I'm sitting in the doctor's office waiting for an appointment, do I make the most of that opportunity? Do I read the Bible on the app on my phone? Or do I sit there and play games? How about when I'm sitting on the couch while my husband is watching something that only he likes on television? Or when I am at the store and I see someone who needs help? There are a million different scenarios and a million different opportunities. I'm not saying I need to completely stop everything that isn't "Godly". For instance, I don't really think God cares if I play the "Bubble Pop" game on my phone. But, each of those things has their place. Facebook has its place. My business blog has its place. My clients have their place. None of them should take the place of God.
Sometimes God creates times for us when we'll want to spend a few minutes with Him. Time that's out of the ordinary time. I spent time with God this morning when I did my devotions. It was beautiful, rich time. But when He calls my name today because He wants me to be with Him again...will I be listening?
I'm going to work on that. I hope you will too.
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