You have a word too. My word lately is time. I’m wise to manage it, to be a good steward of it. Quite simply, I need to take a thoughtful look at how I’m making use of it. I’m giving you an acrostic. Hopefully it will provide some accountability for me today as I think about how to maximize my time.
T = Tenderness
Ever been interrupted? Did I hear laughter? My life is a hopscotch game, leaping from one interruption to another. And if I’m not careful this drives me to a certain crankiness that robs me of the joy I know God wants for me. I’m learning to mindfully treat little tugs on me with tenderness. God appointments.
I = Importance
By prioritizing the have-to vs. the want-to I’m able to spend my time on those things I think will have the most eternal impact. Sometimes this means my house is messy. It also means I don’t hesitate to say no when a church member calls to ask me to volunteer for childcare when I’m already invested in other ministries (and potentially low on energy). Most often it means pouring my time into loved ones—relationship building.
M= Mindful, Meaningful & Me Time
M is a three for one deal. Being mindful of when I’m tapped out helps me to rest when needed. I want to invest my minutes left on earth involved in meaningful activities. And me time consists of ways to recharge. Reading the Bible, writing, reading, going for a run, and painting furniture pieces are five of the best ways for me to come back into a right mindset.
E = Engaging
This one might surprise you. If I begin a book and it doesn’t grab me, doesn’t hold my attention, I stop reading it. I don’t watch a lot of TV. I probably couldn’t tell you who is on the latest Hollywood “it” list or the latest fashion trend. And I’m discerning with friendships. An engaging relationship reminds me of lumberjacks sawing a tree. There’s give and take.
What word could you make an acrostic from this week? Faith, Discipline, Fun, Rest…?
Thankful for the Eternal Time Keeper:
“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” Acts 17:26
“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” Acts 17:26
*photos by flickr
I love what you wrote about a lumbersjack-- I can picture that clearly and I too hate to waste my time on something that doesn't engage me fully:) Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteLove this, Wendy. I like yours for TIME. Time is very crucial to me right now, too.
ReplyDeleteYou always amaze me with the constant flow of creativity "wending" from your soul, Wendy.
ReplyDeleteI love this acrostic, especially the saying no to church members. I need to practice that one more!
My acrostic for today will be JOY.
J: Jesus in me makes me an overcomer. My feelings are not lord.
O: The typical symbol for a hug. I will give verbal, prayerful and physical hugs to those around me who need them. Need, not deserve.
Y: Yes! I will say yes to truth and no to lies and temptation.
Thanks for asking,
Jen
Audience of ONE
I love your points here, Wendy! Especially the tenderness one...I have so many interruptions, but I need to treasure them, too!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
This was such a lovely post to read on this Monday morning!! Thank you! For me, i think my word is MERCY for today
ReplyDeleteM ~ Meditate
E ~ Every thing happens in it's own time, according to God's will
R~ Remembering to set priorities and stick with them
C~ Complete my gratitude list today
Y~ Yearning for God's mercy is what i will do daily
Oh, I LOVE this post! I used to time manage like a Swiss train conductor but have slipped. What brilliant reminders!
ReplyDeleteHmmm.
Perseverance. Daily
Love, infused as needed
Obedience to God as an umbrella over all
Discipline gained by The Word and The Holy Spirit to know when to love, when to obey, when to persevere, when to say ENOUGH.
Love this blog!
Patti
www.pattilacy.com/blog
I am not tender when interrupted or tired or just have the grumps. Good idea to assess one's time and where it is going :O)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to look at how we spend our time. Mind if I steal this one and use it as my own?
ReplyDeleteHow about this on a Monday morning. My tribute to coffee -
ReplyDeleteC - Can't
O - Often
F - Function without my
F - Faithful,
E - Energizing
E - Elixir.
You amaze me anew every time I visit! You're incredible, Wendy. :)
ReplyDeleteSomething I've been thinking a lot about lately is faith:
F- Fragile. Faith is something that needs to be bolstered and shored up every day. What got you through yesterday isn't going to be enough to get you through today without work.
A- Absolute. We need absolute trust in God, and it doesn't come over night. We need to truly get to know who He is so we can trust Him absolutely.
I- Independent. Our faith needs to be independent. We can lean on others while we work on building it, but there comes a time when we're going to need to stand on our own two feet.
T-Trust. Trust in ourselves, and trust in God's timeline. Things are not always going to happen how and when we want them to. And that's okay. Doesn't mean He's not listening. It only means He knows what's best.
H-help. It's okay to ask for help. Faith, like anything else, takes effort, and sometimes we aren't enough. That's okay. But we need to keep moving forward, and we can with His help.
Thanks, Wendy, for making me think!
Thank you for such a refreshing read as I start Spring Break with all four kids!!!
ReplyDeleteArts
Always embrace truth
Remember simplicity
Teach the children
Surrender to His path
Great post. Very timely:) Must be something in the air! Yes, Jody's post was wonderful, too. I got a lot out of it, as I did from yours.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and happy week!
Karen
It's amazing how very much goes into one word's meaning. Which is what I like about this exercise, it just makes us think and respect all the layers of the many words that define our lives!
ReplyDeleteLove your letter E. It's so true! I hardly watch TV, and I've recently learned that it's ok to put a book down. I used to plow through them no matter what, but there's just not enough T-I-M-E.
ReplyDeleteLove the scripture! I scribbled to commit to memory. I thank God for ordering my steps and crafting my time.
ReplyDeleteGood accrostic about time. I think about that one all the time - managing it. Some other very good acrostics on here. Esp like Juile's since I am drinking my first cup of coffee today as I read this.
ReplyDeleteW - Wrestle to prioritize your efforts
O - Organize your tasks and activities
R - Restrict yourself to your current task
K - Know your efforts will pay off.
Good exercise!
Love that acrostic, Wendy! I'm with you on the engaging aspect. If I'm using my time wisely, I have to really make sure the book or show or whatever is truly worthwhile!
ReplyDeleteYours is beautiful!!!! I love all your posts Wendy. I can't wait to read the novel you've written! I will try to work on one for the word PEACE. Lord knows I need it right about now.
ReplyDeleteF-finally getting a little warmer
ReplyDeleteU-under the sun (here in FL)
N-now ready to go to the beach. :)
Silly and shallow...but hey, it's Monday!
Excellent. I'm in such dire need of time, I can so relate to this today!! :)
ReplyDeleteWendy:
ReplyDeleteTrust
Truly
Relying
Upon the
Savior's
Timing OR Traits.
So wishing I have the *time* to respond to all of you tonight. Not in these cards. I'm going to try hard to do that tomorrow. I did so much laundry today and I have no reason reason why--nothing to blame it on. Not a recent vacation or anything.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your thoughts and acrostics.
On the treadmill in about five I'm going to think up one for
S
L
E
E
P
Thank you for coming here.
~ Wendy
Great post, Wendy. No acrostic, just a bunch of letters. ZZZZZZZZZZZZ
ReplyDeleteheehee. ;)
That's a really good acrostic for time. I like your E, especially. I think we're very similar in that E.
ReplyDeleteOh I LOVE your acrostic! Can I print out your post? I'd love to hang it up in my office where I can see it to remind me of the truths you spoke in it.
ReplyDeleteTrust would definitely be my acrostic! However, I have no idea what words I would choose. Maybe I should mull that over and write a blog post about it. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm all about faith this week.
ReplyDeleteI love your personal TIME. Not all of my friends understand why I sign up to help out at the kids' school or drive field trips and such, but it's important to me to take advantage of these opportunities now. They won't be around later. Publication is only one of my goals. Having a strong bond with my husband and kids is the other!
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you on my blog 3/17/2010!
Hmmm. That would be still. Silent Thoughts Instill Leaning on the Lord. Loved your post!
ReplyDelete