Each new day is a fresh start

Seven days in...the goals are set...life happens...choices are made.  Learning about God's mercies being new each day leads to healthy self-care and a thankful heart.  

"God engineers circumstances to see what we will do. Will we be the children of our Father in heaven, or will we go back again to the meaner, common-sense attitude? Will we stake all and stand true to Him? “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” The crown of life means I shall see that my Lord has got the victory after all, even in me."  The Highest Good—The Pilgrim’s Song Book, 530 L

Already this week I see progress, surprises and resulting actions.  As each day presents it new set of circumstances it is in the reflection of these choices that the daily plan is written.  So many of the great leaders I've had the privilege of studying have taught me the simple art of reflection.  Taking 10 minutes at the end of the day to assess how my time was spent allows me to journal and track my progress.

Seeing how I plan my priorities and then other people come along with their set of circumstances and affect my plan, if I so choose.  Being flexible is important.  Laser focus is important.  Which is more important?

Being open and available to God interrupting my daily plans has brought incredible Joy as the bottom line is who are we here to serve, ourselves or Jesus?  

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

In the past I've struggled with allowing people to steal my time in an attempt to being open and available.  The balance lies in discerning whether the people and circumstances that are presenting themselves are an opportunity to serve God or to derail our plans.  

Various time management expert use a chart similar to this one to help us understand how to make choices.  We truly cannot manage time but rather it is ourselves we learn to manage.

At the end of the day if we take the time to review where we've spent those precious moments we've been give we will determine which quadrants we allowing our deposits of time to be invested in.  Choosing wisely to take care of important and not urgent items as our primary focus will ensure progress towards our achieving our goals.

God has brought incredible people into my life through business associations, church affiliations, family and the internet.  "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 It has been the most amazing experience to see just how He has orchestrated my particular set of circumstances.  The lessons I've learned and the phenomenal joy I've beheld by allowing Him to intersect my life with different people is more than I can explain.  I will continue to work out my salvation through managing myself, always at the ready to be flexible enough to receive a Godly interruption.

It’s one thing to hear how God works based on somebody else’s experience, it’s another to see it first hand when you’re wondering, ‘What did I do to deserve this?’ or asking, ‘If God’s really there, why am I here?’ Why?

Goals, Plans and Peace

It's the new year, the second day, so how about all those plans for a new schedule?  Thankfully, we serve a gracious God that has taught me a lot about mercy.  As I begin moving towards my new goals I realize there has to be flexibility and grace in order to have peace and progress.  I have set my goals and I have written my plan.  Now to execute with peace.

I have three main objectives for this year; to become fit physically, get out of debt and find my ministry work.  The physical part involves eating well and of course finally making exercise part of my daily routine.  It really is simple...all diet plans aside, no miracle cure, no quick fixes as it has taken me a long time to get to my current physical condition.  I understand it will take time to reach my vision of fitness. So eat less and move more is my mantra.

The yoke of debt really is a stronghold that can kill you!  It has been a very long journey to get where I am today financially and I have made some great choices and some very poor choices.  One of the most common mistakes of a single Mom is too want to provide your kids with a lifestyle to which they were accustomed to.  This is nearly impossible after a divorce and my attempt to do so has cost me dearly.  I have also experienced immeasurable providence from God and we have all survived, all the wiser.  Now it is time to have my finances line up with the word of God; "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law."Romans 13:8.

My third goal is to find my next ministry work. I have had the honour and privilege of serving in several different congregations over the years and volunteered with various organizations. My gifting lies in the areas of hospitality, teaching, and encouragement. With these strengths I've been blessed to help out with church coffee programs, taught three year olds to adults and led numerous Bible studies. As I reflect, three major items come to mind; walking alongside a teenager as he chose to get his life in order (this is a great story that will someday be a movie!), coaching new business owners as the embark on starting their own business, and women's small groups.

My Bible reading for today included a passage from Luke and what struck me with the Christmas Season just ending were the words 'peace among those with whom he is pleased!' that sums up my goals for not only this year but my life!

10And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" Luke 2:10-14