accomplishments? last week

Giving praise for the beautiful, gorgeous, morning.  Especially since I have a few minutes to soak it all in and to sit quietly before the pace of the day kicks in.

The last week has been productive despite a full day at Cedar Point.

Looking back at the week I'm asking myself what was the biggest accomplishment and what was a waste of time?

My biggest accomplishment...hmmmm

I've been sitting here for 15 minutes and I can't decide.

- Praying for our Elders as they prepare to review candidates - for God's eyes and discernment
-a big hug for someone I've been praying for
-Intentional - specific thank-yous to several people that worked really hard on projects
-Expressing my thanks for getting to be part of the leadership team I'm serving on

There were also projects completed and new guests secured for Crossroads - but I feel that the above are more important.

Relationships - building into lives - mentoring those younger then we are, these are what's most important to me...

On the other hand - what did I do that was a waste of time?  It's only fair to honestly evaluate that as well.

-On my computer too much
-Worrying about a couple of issues...the worry didn't accomplish anything beyond saying the the Lord, "I don't trust you - let me handle this!"    A total waste of valuable time - and worrying  of course hurts only me!
-talking too much instead of REALLY listening

It's easier to list the negative instead of the positive.

With the Lord's help - I'll learn through the careful examination of my past my week, moving forward as I anticipate and enjoy the honor of directing the services this weekend @ Crossroads - preparing to say goodbye to one of my best friends - Deering.   I've just about had all the goodbyes I can take!

What did you accomplish this week?

deep breath time

Sitting on my deck, my favorite place, just taking a deep breath accomplishes more than 'doing' anything does right now.

One of my friends called me 'Martha' this week.  In case any of you don't know, that's not a compliment!  I LOVE to do.




Sitting here watching God's beautiful birds eat their fill and fly away again, hearing the rustling of the leaves and listening to the crickets begin their evening song- evokes praise for my Father that will never come from accomplishments - even a job well done.  It's just me and Him out here under breathtaking skies that He created just for us.

The bidding me goodbye as it prepares to set

What ever jobs I have yet to do can wait - while my soul drinks deeply from His precious gift of creation.

My God is an awesome God…

What fills your soul?

Nothing too important

I was a little discouraged by the end of today when I just didn’t get quite as much done as I was hoping to. Part of the problem was interruptions (most of which were welcomed because I am easily bored); other interruptions were just things that needed my attention. In either case it equaled a disappointing accomplishment!

So in some ways it felt like a “not too important” day. What is an important day? I guess a day with big accomplishments, important appointments, equipment that works flawlessly, people returning my calls and answering emails I send, a new volunteer recruited and trained, phone calls from college with exciting news from my kids…

Once I faced my discouragement with my Wednesday, I asked myself what would have made the day feel important; I was ashamed of what I considered important. At least in most of the instances.

The Midweek teaching continued in Hosea 4, and one of Pastor Tim’s statements was, “whatever you are putting first place in your life is your idol”. So looking at my list of ‘importance’, what were my idols? Accomplishments, my kids, another volunteer for my Department? Trivial, (well, surely my kids aren’t trivial? Are they?) Not trivial in God’s eyes, but at my most honest place I admit I have put them first before God at times…

Every day God gives is an important day; the only thing that separates important from unimportant is what my idol becomes each day. Nothing too important is not found in God’s vocabulary, only in mine.

lists

I never start a day without having a list of what needs to be done. I completed almost nothing today. So what good is a list?

A list is a starting point, a plan, an organized attempt, a disappointment when at the end of the day it doesn't appear to be much different than when you began your day.

I wonder whether I accomplish what God intended. Obviously He knows what I will accomplish. So, have I completed what He wanted me too, what He needed me to on any given day? I often act as if the day is my own, never thinking He created me with specific assignments for each day.

I won't always have the next day, second chances. Time moves fast. My list waits until tomorrow - staring back at me with unchanging demands. I will face it again, as if my reason for being there exists only in the completion of it. I will dedicate my day to the Lord, if I ask for His blessing and guidance, then all sorts of possibilities exist. So, in just a few hours I attempt once again to prepare for this weekend and the weekend's to come and maybe I can empty the list, maybe I can beat it, maybe I can throw it away. Tomorrow it could happen!