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

Time, time, time

Hello my friends! :) How are you this afternoon?
Grab a cup of tea or java or just a snack and let's chat! I am having a brain-freeze of an afternoon! I KNOW that SHOULD be doing one of about a million things... but I just can't seem to think of what they are (or don't want to?). So, at present, I'm chatting with you! :) What's on your heart lately? Is life getting hectic? How are you doing on your sense of calling? Living out your calling? Where are you at with the Lord? Having good quiet times? What is the Lord teaching you? Have you had ANY quietness with Him for your soul to find rest?

As I ask these questions, I sit in my warm, cozy, bed, at 330 in the afternoon. I'm not ill- in fact, went to the dentist a bit ago- got a good report. Perhaps it was the snow that graced our ground this morning... perhaps it's the hot drink I'd like to be sipping? I'm not sure why I'm just sitting here or what I should be doing, but Josiah and I have played Go Fish and Boggle, Jr (sort of- the game actually ended with him putting the blocks down the legs of his footy jammies turning himself into a human maraca!- yes, he's still in his jammies at 3:30- wish I was, too!) The girls are following the "hide out" principle- you know, if we're quiet and don't make any waves we'll get to keep playing! But, very soon, I'll remember all the things that are practically SCREAMING to be done- and the girls will get back to their unfinished schoolwork, and the boys will play playdoh and I'll go back to being a busy Mom. But, for this last moment, what is the Lord saying to us of His Kingdom? What of His great love? What of His desire to nurture us and have us nurture and give grace to each other???

Encourage someone this afternoon- your child, your spouse, neighbor, a friend on the phone- or all of the above- with God's great love!

Also, if you've got one more minute- I'd like to tell you about a mission we heard about yesterday at PATCH (homeschool co-op). They are the brother and sister-in-law of one of our Moms. I just cried as I watched Video 2008 (Link on the top left). Take a minute. It's worth the few minutes, really! His Mission, Agdao

Now, off to do some school and ... well... almost time to make dinner now. Any suggestions? :)
Love to you all...
~Katherine

Clarify your calling...

Hello out there-
I'm sorry I've been so lax lately- lots of great company and traveling! Amidst it all, during my coaching sessions, I've been clarifying my calling. My calling is to our home as wife, mother, homeschool teacher, and pastor's wife and also to discipleship, first discipling our children, next looking at discipleship at the church and how it can improve.

What are your callings? Does your calendar reflect your callings? I'm learning to see that if my reality doesn't match my philosophy, then one has to change. If I say my calling is to the home but I spend all my time at home working on outside projects then I either need to be realistic and honest that my calling and priority is the outside poject (volunteering, whatever, you fill in the blank) or pare down my commitments so that I really am spending my time focusing on my home.

So, as we clarify our callings, let's use that mission statement (unofficial though it may be) to say NO to things that though they are GREAT things in and of themselves, will rob us of the joy of fulfilling the hope of our calling- and doing it WELL!!!

Blessings as you spend a quiet hour alone in the car with an ice cream cone praying about your calling and what commitments this fall will actually help you fulfill it! I will pray that you and I will hear the voice of the One doing the calling, not the one with all the excuses and justifications... but who else will do it? but what if that program doesn't happen? but, but, but... But, we'll never have this time back with our families. Someday, they will be grown and gone and we can volunteer ALL our time away...