karaspeak: Just one thing...

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Just one thing...

Posted by Kara at 9:30 PM

Time. Where does it go? I know we all wake up and have the same 12 - 15 hour days in front of us just wide open and waiting for us to accomplish the tasks we have planned, but where does the time go and how do we not get those things done we set out to do? Personally, I keep lists. And I have lists everywhere and for all things. Lists for groceries, lists for items to follow up on, lists of things I want, lists of things we need for the house, right now I have a list of names (for the baby), I could go on. Nathan makes fun of me for having so many lists, or for keeping them at all, but there's a part of me that feels SO GOOD when I get to cross off an item and say it's been done, or I have that, or I don't want that anymore. It's finished and I have one less thing to accomplish with the little time I have left.

What I realized recently is that I don't really have a list of scripture verses I want to memorize, or things I want to do to improve my marriage, spiritual life, other relationships, etc. I have a list of things to accomplish in my professional life, but not on my own, just the one mandated by my company. So I am challenged with this...having so much to do already and so feeling like I have so little time to do it all, how can I add one thing...just one wise thing to the following areas of my life that will make a lasting difference:

My spiritual life
My relationships/marriage
My personal life
My professional life

There are so many things I can do that are worthless, and will add no value in the long term, so I'm looking to cut those out and instead replace them with one thing that is wise, that will add lastng value, and will reap a harvest over time. Paul says it well in Ephesians 5:15-17 with candid reminders that we need to make the most of every opportunity because before we know it our days will be gone. I know I spend my time on a lot of things that don't add value and that's definitely something I want to change, especially before this new child comes into our lives and changes it all up anyway. Spending less time focused on my job and more time focused on my family...for me, that's a wise move. At the end of my life, I won't want to say I put in "this many" hours at a job, but I will want to say that I spent "this much time" with my family...and I would never trade it for the world.

I haven't thought of my one thing for each quite yet, but I'll update it when I get there. I challenge you to do the same...