Managing your time not to the foolest, but to the fullest to God's Glory

Making the Most of our Time
I love the verse, “Teach us to number our days that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom”. (Psalm 90:12)

I’m sharing with you something the Lord has been impressing on me recently. I am a person who lives by my lists. I write down things I need to get accomplished each day and delight in crossing items off my list as I complete the tasks.

Contemplating the end of summer drawing near, I was struck with how I don’t feel ready for it to end. There is so much I wanted to do, that I haven’t gotten done with the busyness of life. Things like cleaning and organizing projects, like special days with the grandkids, like fun stuff with Kelley and Kasey- things we don’t seem to get to do during the school year, family day trips to historical places, etc.

And yet, I’ve crossed a lot of things off my list. The Lord seemed to prick my conscience causing me think, “Yes, I’ve crossed a lot off my list, but what have I accomplished for eternity? What really counts? Am I just crossing off items on my list and feeling a false sense of accomplishment or am I making the most of every day and every opportunity to be used of God in the little things?”

For instance, we’ve had a lot of functions this summer- friends showers, weddings, anniversaries, etc. Yes, a lot are crossed off my list, but did I find someone to impact while I attended those things? When at church, did I just sit there or did I find someone to encourage? Am I just crossing off the lists in my life or am I making a difference in God’s scheme of eternity?

I am trying to teach this to my kids as well. Recently Kasey (my 11 yr. old) and I were talking and I encouraged her to have a ministry. There is an older couple in church who we’ve had into our home. He is Vietnam war vet. Kasey is very patriotic and interested in the brave men who’ve fought to secure our freedoms. I was explaining to her how a simple hug can go a long way. She has made it her goal now to seek this couple out in church and give them hugs, cookies, notes, etc.- simple acts of kindness. They absolutely LOVE her and she is able to brighten their lives just by reaching out in small ways. She recently told me when she is a lady and has kids she wants to name her son after this special man. She’s beginning to catch the vision of living a life of service and also reaping the blessings of being people who intentionally look for ways to serve others.

It’s all about our focus. We are here to advance God’s purposes in the lives of those he places us in contact with. Instead of just fulfilling our responsibilities and crossing them off the list, I need to remember to make the most of my time- to speak vision into the lives of the people God has cross my path. We are here to make a difference for eternity- to advance His kingdom and His purposes in our little corner of the world. As we focus on this we will raise kids of vision with driven purpose who sense our time is short and who long to one day hear, “Well done” when we enter into the presence of our Lord. So, as you plan for the school year which is fast approaching, remember you serve our mighty God as you pour yourself into those little lives entrusted to you. You have the most important job on earth!

This article is by Susan Boyer
http://thelearningparent.blogspot.com/2010/08/making-most-of-our-time.html

Rafting 2

Jasper Rafting Tours (part 1)

Just because........

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

It is so encouraging to have friends and family, as I do, who send notes, phone calls, gifts, and prayers of encouragement and love in Christ. Leah, is most definitely among them. She has ministered in prayers, notes, and gifts (of all sorts) to our family in times of trials and not.

She was kind enough, to cast her thoughts toward me liking Bleak House, of which I told her reminds me of my darling mother at the time of Claire's birth, after all the kids were mostly over their 2 week engagement with sickness. You see, Mom and I hardly get to do things together b/c of our geographical separation. So Mom, shocked, if I remember correctly, couldn't believe I had never seen Bleak House. In her amazement, and I'm guessing, delight, introduced me to it, as a beloved, old friend. And somehow, I knew I'd like it,too. How we stayed up late, till our heads were bobbing and eyes were stinging.........just one more scene.

So what does Leah do? You guessed it.....she goes and buys the movie for me!!!! So now, I am among the ranks of happy Bleak House owners.

I was wanting to get this post up earlier this week, but before I could, another shower of kindness was poured upon us by Miss Leah.



You see, this Espresso by Nes Cafe is a favorite amongst us. They took it off the shelves. Just like that........with one of those blasted recall notes. You know the kind, that discombobulates the mind. REASON: Shard of glass meets espresso,if I remember correctly, according to Leah's lengthy and thorough investigation,

Today, unbeknowns to Murray and me, being the first day it's back on the shelf, Leah secretly purchased a bottle and left it in our mailbox.

So a humble and hearty thank you goes out to Leah, tonight; as well a prayer of returned blessings for her.

Good night........