Of course challenges arise when you try to make things better; when you activate and accept good change in your life. My husband and I often joke about how we tend to get sick or injured when getting back into our gym routine after being absent for a while. It's inevitable. Life's challenges smack you square in the face the moment you decide you are going to make things right: especially right with God.
I woke up this morning ready to conquer my summer of reset lifestyle. I got my coffee, sat down on my couch, journaled, and read my Proverbs for the day. I even decided to do a little writing. My eldest son came in the room in the midst of my quiet requesting pancakes for breakfast. I knew I was on a somewhat tight schedule but didn't want to miss an opportunity with him in the kitchen (he always helps me when we make pancakes) so I obliged. In doing so, I left little room for other things that needed to be done like make the bed, wash and dry my hair, and clean up our breakfast mess. I really wanted to run through the Starbucks line on our way to our destination so this OCD chick decided I could let those things go in order to get my vanilla latte.
We left the house leaving a mess behind and with my pool hair from yesterday in a top knot on top of my head. I had about ten minutes to spare so I pulled into the parking lot for Starbucks. My excitement for my hot beverage treat dissipated once I saw the drive-thru line. Why are so many people getting coffee at 9:15am? It's not like I went during rush hour. Getting all three kids out of the car was out of the question. Sometimes it's easier to keep them all strapped in then to hear the moans and groans when they don't get a cake pop. I reluctantly pulled out of line knowing I wouldn't make it in time if I had stayed. Goodbye blessed Starbucks. Until next time. Suddenly, my water wasn't tasting very refreshing.
As I pulled away and headed towards my final destination (Bible study, ironically), I felt a calm peace over me. Usually when I leave the house in such disarray and things don't go as planned I feel it. But today was different.
I know I need to manage my time differently. Alexandra Kuykendall says, "I have opportunities every day to embrace working with God rather than working my own plan." Today I chose to let things go. I decided time making a mess with my ten year old was more important than a clean kitchen or clean hair. I've only got eight more years with him until he's an adult. I can sacrifice a top knot for time well spent with him. I also sacrificed an over-priced coffee to keep me from rushing into Bible study uptight and stressed. I ended up getting my coffee later in the day after all. It just happened to be iced instead of hot. Texas in the summer is hot y'all.
I came home to a quiet semi-messy house after my morning of unplanned chaos. The grandparents took the boys on an adventure for the afternoon and I had the house to myself. I took care of the chores that we didn't accomplish earlier with ease and no stress. I even decided to leave the laundry that I had already re-washed once in the washing machine because I didn't want to lose time folding what was in the dryer to flip it over. I can always rewash it again. I am slowly learning to let go. Because of this, I even had time to light some candles and read my book in silence. Hallelujah. Ironically, one part of the book spoke to my exact experience. The author spoke about not allowing changed plans to burden me. Our changed plans shouldn't be something we immediately gripe about. Changed plans often mean an opportunity for God to show up and if we allow, we will see Him.
My summer of reset has shown me that I need to learn how to manage my time better but that doesn't always mean I need to have everything scheduled and perfectly laid out. What it does mean, is that I allow for the unexpected. I open my doors and my heart to the unplanned and the chaotic because He is in those places and I don't want to miss it. I may see it as a burden, but He sees it as an opportunity.
Oh, Lord, help me see changed plans and the unexpected that creeps in as an opportunity not a burden.
"He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake." Psalm 23:3
Love & Blessings,
Meg
I woke up this morning ready to conquer my summer of reset lifestyle. I got my coffee, sat down on my couch, journaled, and read my Proverbs for the day. I even decided to do a little writing. My eldest son came in the room in the midst of my quiet requesting pancakes for breakfast. I knew I was on a somewhat tight schedule but didn't want to miss an opportunity with him in the kitchen (he always helps me when we make pancakes) so I obliged. In doing so, I left little room for other things that needed to be done like make the bed, wash and dry my hair, and clean up our breakfast mess. I really wanted to run through the Starbucks line on our way to our destination so this OCD chick decided I could let those things go in order to get my vanilla latte.
We left the house leaving a mess behind and with my pool hair from yesterday in a top knot on top of my head. I had about ten minutes to spare so I pulled into the parking lot for Starbucks. My excitement for my hot beverage treat dissipated once I saw the drive-thru line. Why are so many people getting coffee at 9:15am? It's not like I went during rush hour. Getting all three kids out of the car was out of the question. Sometimes it's easier to keep them all strapped in then to hear the moans and groans when they don't get a cake pop. I reluctantly pulled out of line knowing I wouldn't make it in time if I had stayed. Goodbye blessed Starbucks. Until next time. Suddenly, my water wasn't tasting very refreshing.
As I pulled away and headed towards my final destination (Bible study, ironically), I felt a calm peace over me. Usually when I leave the house in such disarray and things don't go as planned I feel it. But today was different.
I know I need to manage my time differently. Alexandra Kuykendall says, "I have opportunities every day to embrace working with God rather than working my own plan." Today I chose to let things go. I decided time making a mess with my ten year old was more important than a clean kitchen or clean hair. I've only got eight more years with him until he's an adult. I can sacrifice a top knot for time well spent with him. I also sacrificed an over-priced coffee to keep me from rushing into Bible study uptight and stressed. I ended up getting my coffee later in the day after all. It just happened to be iced instead of hot. Texas in the summer is hot y'all.
I came home to a quiet semi-messy house after my morning of unplanned chaos. The grandparents took the boys on an adventure for the afternoon and I had the house to myself. I took care of the chores that we didn't accomplish earlier with ease and no stress. I even decided to leave the laundry that I had already re-washed once in the washing machine because I didn't want to lose time folding what was in the dryer to flip it over. I can always rewash it again. I am slowly learning to let go. Because of this, I even had time to light some candles and read my book in silence. Hallelujah. Ironically, one part of the book spoke to my exact experience. The author spoke about not allowing changed plans to burden me. Our changed plans shouldn't be something we immediately gripe about. Changed plans often mean an opportunity for God to show up and if we allow, we will see Him.
My summer of reset has shown me that I need to learn how to manage my time better but that doesn't always mean I need to have everything scheduled and perfectly laid out. What it does mean, is that I allow for the unexpected. I open my doors and my heart to the unplanned and the chaotic because He is in those places and I don't want to miss it. I may see it as a burden, but He sees it as an opportunity.
Oh, Lord, help me see changed plans and the unexpected that creeps in as an opportunity not a burden.
"He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake." Psalm 23:3
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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