See that coffee??
It's what I'm drinking......morning, late afternoon, and sometimes evening.
Because life is so darn crazy busy right now...........this week, this month, this school year. And I need to keep plugging away at work (kindergarten is very busy in the month of December!), and with my daughter's ballet schedule, and with small group leading, and time with husband, and shopping for gifts, and wrapping, and managing the house. Meanwhile...........
I need to take a blogging break for a bit...........probably just until the weekend............
After my small group discussion last evening (our chapter was about idols in place of God), I realized that I have many idols in my life right now: books, "me" time, blogging (although I really haven't done much of that at all!), social media (i.e. Facebook...the ultimate time waster), buying, wrapping, cooking, cleaning, decorating, hiking..........and the list goes on.
Oh yes. I read the Word each morning. And I read the Scriptures at night, or on my break at work. I fill my mind with worship songs from cds in the car, or the Christian radio stations. But.........
Am I spending quality time with my Savior?? I think not.
So, I'm putting aside scrolling down the infamous home page on FB, I'm saying NO to sending out 40+ Christmas cards, I am saying NO to baking a dozen different kinds of cookies, I'm saying NO to shopping for the needy school families (we are already doing this for church!), and I'm saying NO to certain social events or get togethers.
Rather, I'm saying Yes to spending more time alone with God..........whether it's on a walk, or just sitting near my Christmas tree.
I'm saying Yes to praying WITH my husband and daughters, rather than just FOR them.
I'm saying Yes to serving in the music ministry for Christmas Eve.........because it's basically just 3 rehearsals plus 3 services :)
I'm saying Yes to embracing the Reason for the Season (Corny as that may sound). I'm saying Yes to more quiet time because my soul needs it.
Social media is a great tool....but not at the expense of my spiritual walk with Christ. I won't go into it, but some of the stuff I see on there, even from Believers, brings up negative emotions or thoughts. And I don't want to fill my mind with those things.
I need to be intentional about the quality of time I spend for "quiet time"...for "prayer time".......and I need to get back to journaling that has some depth.
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| image courtesy of flicker |
so..............good-bye for now but please know I will be back after this spiritual retreat (too bad I can't take a retreat from work!!)..........I'm looking forward to some productive evenings when it's just me and my Bible.
Have a blessed week everyone!!
5 comments:
What a good, and very convicting, post! We all need to do that, I think. And just as a P.S. if I sent out 40 Christmas cards that would cost me almost $33 in stamps provided they were all mailed to Canadian residences! Mail delivered Christmas cards are becoming a thing of the past in Canada, I'm afraid. Makes me sad.
We gave up social media aka FB about 2 yrs ago...that was def. leading us away from the Christian life we want to lead...now blogging, that is another story.
Yes, friend, coffee here too...and I surely understand about hectic schedules etc. We will be here waiting for you to return...many holiday Blessings to you.
Good thoughts, Faith. Many blessings to you! ;)
I love your "no" and "yes" lists.
I want to be more intentional about savouring the season this year, too. Thanks for your words and ideas.
I pray that this week is one of doing exactly what you feel called to do, Faith.
So difficult to find the delicate balance of doing good and even fun things but still spending time with Him!
I'm working on that as well.
I want to encourage you, though, that your blogging time DOES bring encouragement. It is great to see believers going about life and looking for the good in everything. You do that quite well, Faithe!
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