Tag: time

Seven Minutes

(Originally published December 2024. Good reminder for me to restart.)

I usually set timers to complete tasks that I don’t want to do.

If I need to clean part of the house (you know, the part people will see), I’ll set a timer for 23 minutes.

If I need to do some purging in the closet, I’ll set the timer for 14 minutes.

You can get a lot done in a short amount of time. I guess it helps to know there is an end in sight.

I have my quiet time in the morning. I’ve been going through the Bible in a year with The Bible Recap Podcast http://thebiblerecap.com. This has been very good and it helps me see Jesus on every page of the Bible.

But I am desperate to hear from God. I know in order to do that more, I need to be proactive in listening. This takes discipline.

So, today, I’m beginning a new routine. I am purposely getting quiet for seven minutes. No music, no podcast, no laundry machine. Just me and God and whatever noise is going on outside that I can’t control.

I got in my chair with my blanket. I leaned back and shut my eyes. Deep breath.

It wasn’t long before I opened my eyes to see what was making noise on the street. (sigh…)

I closed them again and started to pray. I listened and waited.

He gave me the idea for this blog. He reminded me that the number 7 is the number of completion.

I thanked Him. And suddenly the time was up.

Nothing earth shattering. But, being still is a discipline and it’s going to take some time (ha!) to get proficient.

Do you take time to be still? To really get quiet? There is a lot of noise. It’s an art to be still and to be comfortable.

Discipline is important and not easy. But the results will be worth it. Being intentional about anything takes discipline. But nothing changes until you do (until I do.) I definitely have some things I want to change. What about you?

Adulting

Yes, I started this post with slang.

Adulting is an informal term to describe behavior that is seen as responsible and grown-up, if mundane and unpleasant—like bills and chores, according to Dictionary.com.

I’ve been above the age of 21 for sometime now. I should be used to it. I should be thriving in adulthood.

And sometimes, I am.

But then there are days like today. I just don’t want to (insert anything here.)

There are bills to pay, dishes to wash, dog hair to vacuum and a lot of clutter to clear. But I don’t want to.

But, I know it’s better for me if I do. It’s better for this household also.

The Apostle Paul states in Romans 7:11, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” (ESV)

I don’t like being lazy. I don’t like wasting time. But I still do.

Shift my focus!

Everything I have comes from God. Everything I need comes from Him too.

Should I ask the Lord to help me clear the clutter? Absolutely!

Should I ask the Lord to help focus me on the mundane tasks? Yes!

All with a thankful heart! Thankful that we were able to seek and receive medical attention when we needed it. Thankful that we have the dishes to serve the food that is in our refrigerator. Thankful for the clothes we have and a machine that washes them. Thankful for the dog that brings me so much joy. Thankful that I can serve Him where I am with what I have.

Have you ever thought about that? Everything we have to worship God with – our minds, bodies, voices, hands, etc. – everything we have, came from Him.

And He has more for us. So be faithful in taking care of what He has given you today. He has more for us.

Let’s get started! Are you moving yet? Here I go!

Thankful

It was a beautiful Tuesday morning. Spring in Alabama.

The sky was a wonderful blue. The trees are budding along with the wisteria and azaleas.

I know for many people the pollen makes this time of year more enjoyable from inside. Thankfully, I do not suffer with allergies as others do.

We were scheduled for early morning and we were the first patients of the day. Tim had his choice of treatment chairs. They didn’t look very stylish but they recline and are heated.

Annabelle was his nurse and she was great. She and Tim bantered back and forth like they had known each other for years. When she was about to find a vein, I walked away and studied the wall.

I noticed the long hallway of similar rooms – 6 treatment chairs each. People were starting to find their spots. The room where Tim was started to fill. So many people.

Tim was there for an iron IV. Others for chemotherapy treatment.

The iron started to flow without any negative side effects. I took the time to walk outside. I walked around the building several times. It is a large building with different parking areas. I counted three available spaces. So many people.

I walked through the lobby and noticed it was full. So many people in various degrees of health. Some with support people and others by themselves. Some conditions were noticeable and others were unseen.

As I made my way back to where Tim was, I was granted access at the opposite end of that long hallway. So many people.

Some nurses were talking to Mr. Patterson. They noticed his new haircut and asked about a recent trip. He apparently is a regular.

This experience has overwhelmed me with gratitude. I am so thankful for medicine and for health care workers. People who love what they do in caring for others in a vulnerable state.

Thankful for volunteers who cheerfully give coffee, mints and chocolates to patients. Thankful for the janitor who greets everyone with a cheerful hello and good morning as she pushes her cart.

Thankful for my sweet husband who rarely complains. Thankful for health. Thankful for my body that can move.

Always be thankful. God is so very gracious.

21,335

Did you know you can find anything on the internet? It still fascinates me when I wonder about something and start researching it. I save a lot of time if I just start typing my question into the search bar.

21,335 is the number of days I have been alive.

Sometimes, it doesn’t seem like much.

There are other times when I am acutely aware of how long some of those days are.

In Psalm 39:5 David writes, “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
    Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is.”

The Lord has been constantly reminding me to use the time I have been given wisely.

I’m better at this some days more than others.

I had plenty of time to write yesterday. I had finished work and knew what I was going to make for supper. I had walked with Xena, the wonder dog. The time was available to me.

But I didn’t use it wisely. I thought I would have plenty of time this morning to write.

But then I had a rough night. Xena needed to go outside several times. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t get comfortable.

And then I did sleep after Tim left. I was so grateful. But now I’m ‘behind’ on what I thought I would be doing today.

Again, another reminder that I don’t know what the day holds, but I know Who holds the day.

I don’t know how many days I have left in this world. I know I have eternity with Jesus.

But, I have things to do now. Things God has asked me to do and given me time to do it. I need to stop trying to figure out how. I should just move forward and trust that He has already figured it out for me. I can rest knowing that God is for me. He will equip me to do what He has asked me to do.

I need to trust. I need to remind myself over and over and over again.

Use the time I have been given wisely.

Where Do I Begin?

It’s 2025 and I am beginning the year with a me and Jesus retreat! (Please, forgive the grammar.)

I’ve looked forward to this for months and I am finally here. I packed nearly everything, said goodbye to the family (Xena, the wonder dog, was sulking) and drove for just an hour or so and made it without incident.

There are 18 steps to the door of this little apartment. I tried not to over pack. I did bring several bags of food. But, I thought it would be smart to bring the giant suitcase with just a few clothes and then pack the paint supplies, the canvases, the books, journals and my favorite slippers. 18 steps. Multiple times. I was tired when I finally got inside and locked the door.

I plugged in the little Christmas tree and lit my new candle. I unpacked and everything is neat and orderly.

I took a shower (first one today – and since I won’t be seeing anyone, it may be the only one for a few days.) I am certainly relaxed now.

How do I begin this time with my Father? How do I create the ‘right’ atmosphere for me to hear from Him?

I am extremely grateful. I thank Him for safe travel, for food, for heat, for peace and quiet. I thank Him for a husband who doesn’t mind me going off by myself, for my church being broadcast over the internet. I thank Him for being right here all of the time.

I have plans for this retreat. Plans to write, to walk, to exercise, to complete a puzzle. Plans to paint and to nap and to sit on the balcony and just look at the view.

But my top priority is to connect with Jesus and to see what His plans for me are. You don’t have to be in a special place or have things in order to connect with Him.

You just need a willing heart, open ears and to be still.

Start with gratitude. Tell Him you love Him. Just start.

Gift of Time

It’s the holiday season. A time of thanksgiving and gift exchanging. A time for family and friends. A time of cooking and feasting. A time of running and running and running.

Today, however, I was given the gift of time. I am overwhelmed with the amount of work I have. Thankful, yet overwhelmed with the volume. I have been working on one particular file for a week! It’s a bear! Meanwhile, other files have piled up in my ‘to do’ box.

I was double checking some documents and was so close to wrapping up this file. I was so thrilled. Then it happened. The website froze and a giant Error message was displayed on the screen.

I checked my attitude and decided to be thankful for the time. I put in a load of laundry. I got something to eat (it was a bit after 11a and my stomach let me know.)

That was productive. But I also just wanted to sit in front of the TV and watch a rerun of some comedy and just vegetate. But then, I remembered Sunday’s sermon.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

God has good things in store for me. He has given me gifts and talents and wants me to use them to bring Him glory.

I have said a billion (maybe) times, “I want to write!” But then my world shifts and things get in the way and I forget my gift.

When doing the Lord’s will, expect spiritual opposition. We can always find an excuse or an obstacle to NOT do what we are to do.

2 Peter 1:3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

God has equipped his children with everything we need to live out our calling. We are called to use our gifts to point people to Christ, whether it’s 5 people or 5,000,000. We all have a sphere of influence.

The website is functional now. I can finish my work. But first, with the gift of time, I was able to work on my calling.

The Sounds of Silence

Is your world ever completely silent?

It’s 6am and Tim has left for the office. I’m in my office with no music or screens on. But, I can still hear things.

Xena, the wonder dog, is dreaming. She makes noises that sound as if she is scared or anxious.

The refrigerator just cycled through making ice.

There is a car nearby that apparently needs to idle for awhile and then the engine needs to be revved up six or seven times before it can be driven.

And then there is mom. Let’s just say I can tell she is still in bed.

My quiet time is rarely silent. But, it is a most precious time.

A time to breathe, to think, to write, to be still. A time to praise God, thank God and ask God. Probably my most favorite time of the day.

If you are running from the time your feet hit the floor, how do you feel when you finally collapse into bed? Can your mind shut off automatically as you drift into a peaceful deep sleep where you awaken refreshed and renewed? Probably not.

And some days are like that. But even in the midst of the most hectic day, search for a time when you can get away from the noise, the screens. Even if it’s five minutes in the sunshine – just you and nature – it will refresh your soul.

You must be intentional with your time. Start with the sounds of silence.

“I think my life is about to drastically change!”

Those are the words I said to a friend of mine after my first ‘official’ date with Tim.

Four months later (to the day), we were married.

And today, it’s been sixteen years.

As we talked and reminisced tonight, we both agreed we have come a long way from the couple that we were in 2006. We know so much more about God and His love for us. We know so much more about the power of life giving (and life-taking) words.

There is no sense in wishing we would have done this or not said that. I often think about things I did or didn’t do when the kids were in the house. How would their lives be different if we had operated out of love and not from survival mode?

But God…same today as He was sixteen years ago and as He always has been and always will be. Thankfully, He doesn’t change – but encourages us to. He doesn’t ‘grow’ in the sense that He becomes more loving, more patient or more self-disciplined. But He equips us to grow. He pushes us forward.

I can’t go back to when the kids were teenagers and do things differently – or be wiser. But I can start today. With encouragement, with love. With the idea of leaving a legacy. If I say I want my life to point others to Christ, then I need to do that today and every day from now on.

Time, as you know, goes by quickly and doesn’t return. What do you need to set your mind on and follow through with? How will your life be different (positively or negatively) one year from today?