Last year, I made a list of things that I wanted to accomplish during 2013. Since January is considered the “storage and organization month”, I felt my list was warranted. “Making a list and checking it twice” is generally a must for those in the workforce who need to be an organizer and/or planner. It is supposed to keep the sanity in an office. I know because I have been there, done that, and surprisingly the lists always kept me in the time frame allotted to get out the reports.
Now that I am retired (yes, that’s right) I am supposed to have more time on my hands. But really I have to ask myself “where does all the time go?” Up until the end of December, I had been babysitting (thoroughly enjoyed it) for my daughter’s friend who is a teacher in our local school system. But now that I am not doing that, what is left in my day? I should have all the time in the world to do whatever I want to do, right? As a pastor’s wife, do I even need to ask such a question of myself? Flexibility and being open to the day seems to be the challenge laid before me.
Since January is duly noted as the month to get organized, I went to my favorite store (TJMaxx) to check out their storage containers and to my surprise, they had an over-abundance of all types and sizes of containers–even those with chalkboard labels–baskets, boxes, trays, bins, folders, wall dividers, chalkboards, and desk accessories. A quick in and out turned into a two-hour venture. I did purchase a few things to help get me started, especially in organizing my painting supplies. I even got a couple of new toys for our black lab (he is 9-months and needs lots of play things).
This morning in my devotions, I read several passages of scriptures that the Lord spoke to my heart about in beginning my day anew each morning because that is where it all begins. Taking one day at a time and asking for the Lord’s help and direction for each new day will keep our hearts in tune with whatever may come our way. I may not have to keep extensive to-do lists, but my desire is to wait on the Lord and allow Him to guide me throughout the day whether I am painting, cleaning, washing clothes, choosing songs for the Sunday service, practicing piano, grocery shopping, catching up with a friend by listening and sharing news, etc. This is the day that the Lord has made so let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Scriptures that blessed my day are all taken from the NIV Bible as follows:
Psalm 42:1-2: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.”
Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me; and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 19:14: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 51:10-12: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”
Psalm 139:14: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Praise the Lord for his enduring love in our hearts today.
Blessings,
Yvonne
January reading: “The First Phone Call from Heaven” by Mitch Albom