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Stayin' Focused- seeking the Inspired Life

My dear friends-
Is it hard sometimes to stay focused? I don't believe I have ADHD- but sometimes my brain gets so fractured - overwhelmed with the WIDE variety of things that are going on- that I get overwhelmed and just want to crawl in bed, drink lattes, surf online, or read. Not that any of that is bad :) - it just doesn't really help me to "press on and take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me (Phil 3:12)". I've been working with a life-coach since June (Linda Stoll @ Creekside Ministries) and have found it so challenging and so rewarding! I worked all summer and into the fall clarifying my callings and working to get my calendar and my days to reflect what I state to be "my priorities". Linda challenged me to put the two (calendar and priorities) side by side- see how they match- and then work to either be realistic about my priorities, or change my use of time and resources to reflect them. It's been quite a journey- one I encourage you to embark on! I must warn you though- it's not easy! :) In taking this journey- I've discovered SO MUCH about myself- good and ... not so good!

One of my newest challenges- is staying focused. I did all this work to clear out my calendar and make time for what truly matters to me- but left unchecked- I would easily and quickly fill it right up again! Reminds me of the Scripture-

Matthew 12:43
"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.

Not wanting to end up worse than before I started clearing out the schedule- it takes real intentionality to put myself in the place of being filled up with the Spirit of the Lord in a disciplined daily quiet time- which for me- really has to come in a quiet house when all children are still sleeping! And then living out my calling as wife and mother and homeschool teacher and pastor's wife, etc. as the Lord leads me during the day. There are so many good things asking for our time and attention each day. How do we choose between them? How do we say "no" and not feel bad? How do we allow ourselves to just live OUR callings and not someone else's and do it well- really, really well? I've concluded: only with His grace- and only with His constant help.

I don't know where you're at in your journey. May I encourage you to sit down- write down your priorities- then glance over your calendar (or imagine a day's time) and see how they line up? If, like me, you found they didn't match up well- don't get overwhelmed and head to bed to sip on a latte'--- head to the Word and let the Lord lovingly remind you of His callings for you- first, to be His treasured daughter (or son!)- then- to share that love with those He's placed around you.

I love you friends!!!
~Katherine

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hey Friend!
Great advice...I need to make a list of priorities and put them RIGHT NEXT to my calendar. :)

I miss your book list. I was just out here looking for that Vicki Courtney book...I found it on line, but wanted you to know how much I liked seeing what you were reading...and how much I used that to order books!
love you,
heidi