I’m liking the disclaimers as of late, aren’t I? I don’t know why I feel the need to place a disclaimer here, but I will none the less. This post is about faith. You may have faith. You may not. I have faith. Regardless of your views, I invite you to read this with an open mind. If however, you know that reading this will change your opinion of me for the worse, then skip over it. Just know that you are missing a key part to who I am.
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Time is so elusive, isn’t it?
He’s so right. I am the worst at getting things done. If anyone ever got around to crowning procrastinators, I would be the reigning Queen. Unfortunately, the only people who care are procrastinators themselves, so I’ll never get my coronation. I’m so good at putting things off, thinking that another time will be more convenient. Dan thinks a ToDo List would help. But all I would have to do is write the task down to feel my sense of accomplishment for the day.
Lately, I’ve been feeling really convicted about one of those daily ToDos that I just keep putting off.
I’ve been going to Bible Study for a year. Every week I would pray for strength, discipline and time management skills so that I could be diligent in my quiet time with God.
God worked.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. -Philippians 1:6, emphasis mine.
I procrastinated.
I had a baby to take care of. He takes all of my time. I didn’t get a moment of quiet, and when I did, I was always anticipating that moment to be taken from me at any second.
Excuses.
Now that my maternity leave is coming to an end, I told God that it would be silly to get into the habit of doing something now, since my entire life will be changing in two weeks. (I told you, I’m a professional procrastinator).
Excuses.
So God worked harder.
I read this. And this. And God spoke to me.
So, I made a decision. I did what I knew I had to do.
I realized that there is one time of the day that I always have to myself: nap time. I often spend Cameron’s naps getting all the things done that I can’t do with him awake. I will shower. Or I will clean. Or I will blog. Or I will nap myself.
But I can’t deny that it is my only quiet time.
So on Sunday night I cleaned. I cleaned and I cleaned and I cleaned. There were no dirty dishes left in our apartment. Cameron’s toys were put away. And miracle of all miracles: the kitchen table was cleared of all most of our photography equipment.
Yesterday, nap time finally came around. I swear, Cameron fought that nap harder than he has fought a nap in a while. I thought he was going to thwart my whole plan. Finally, he fell asleep. Since the house was cleaned so thoroughly the night before, I took five minutes to clean up the mess brought on by the morning. I brewed a cup of coffee and I grabbed half of a chocolate croissant from Two If By Sea Cafe. Then, I flicked off the computer screens and sat down at the table with my bible and a study book.
And God and I had a date. And we talked about our relationship.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13
I can’t wait for nap time.
Laura, sometimes it's scary to me how similar we are! Your word's today could have come right out of my mouth. Keeping in a close relationship with God though his word is somthing I struggle with as well. Always an excuse. I need to find time too. I've been working on a 28 day study for months now…
Meghan, that similarity is such a comforting thing for me. It makes it possible to share and relate and learn from one another. I'll pray that God will help both of us as we work towards being disciplined with our relationship with Him.
Meghan, that similarity is such a comforting thing for me. It makes it possible to share and relate and learn from one another. I'll pray that God will help both of us as we work towards being disciplined with our relationship with Him.
I'm loving you more and more, girl. :-) Another post that could have come straight out of my mouth. I struggle so much with finding quiet time for me & God. I tend to use nap time to do alot of "me" things too–blogging, writing, editing photos…but this post just served as another reminder that I'm missing out on the most important part of my day. Thanks for writing this.
Oh and PS-What are the books you have laid out with your bible [if you don't mind answering]? It looks like one is a calendar? Or maybe not. LOL Just curious as to what you were studying…
Oh, I'm so glad this is something that others can relate to. Right now I have a verse stuck to the wall above my computer that says "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." (Philippians 3:14). That's what we are called to do. "Press on". No matter what we did yesterday, we strive again today. I think that is our calling as mothers as well as Christ followers.
As for my books, I have "Becoming a Woman of Excellence" by Cynthia Heald. It is the study book that we have been using at my weekly bible study. Since I go back to work soon and won't be able to finish it with the bible study women, I have made it my personal daily study aid. I have also read Heald's "Becoming a Woman of Freedom". I would definitely recommend this series!
You're right, I also have my planner sitting out. It is where I keep my ToDo list. I have found that when I am trying to sit still and focus on one thing, other things start creeping into my head and taking over my attention. So, if I keep my planner there, I can quickly jot down the thought and move on, knowing I can come back later.
And finally, I have my ereader sitting there in the floral case. I didn't actually use it that day, but I typically always have it close by.