False Start

So I've added Me Time back on the list of things to do. Great. One more thing to squeeze in. Totally worth it, but there are only 24 hours in a day/7 days a week. How am I going to fit it all in? Get everything done? And stay sane.

I'll tell you the secret. The one thing I know always works, but yet I neglet to do it on a regular basis:

Start my day off with God.

That simple. I know it sounds counter-intuitive. Really, Britt? One more thing to add to my list? Something else to take up precious time? I barely have time to shower as it is!

Bear with me here. When I start my day off reading scripture, I am reminded of God's goodness, His unfailing love, His commandments (like holding my tongue and being patient and serving others and....), and His mercy for when I fail to uphold those commandments. Basically, I am reminded that I am His child and that He is omnipotent and in control. Did you catch that? HE is in control - Not me.

When I pour out my heart in prayer, I willingly give back that control to my heavenly Father. I ask for His grace (undeserved goodness) and power to accomplish my to-do list. To survive my day and be productive. All while being supernaturally patient with my children. :)

Here I would like to pause and talk a bit more about that all important to-do list. I think one of the reasons we feel overwhelmed by that list is because it is too busy or out of whack. Is dusting the blinds, cleaning the oven, and wiping down my baseboards more important than playing a game with my children? Sometimes it is. I recently had to make time to clean the oven because bacon grease spilled on the coils and smoked terribly whenever turned on. But other times, maybe God would rather I read a book to my four year old than tell her "Not now, sweatheart, Mama has to clean this window." I want my house to be (reasonably) clean, but if every time my daughter wants attention I explain I can't because I'm cleaning, what does that tell her about her worth? That Mom values a clean house over her?

Or what about the length of my to-do list? Do I or my children really need to be involved in all those activities? Yes, they may all be good activities, noble activities, important activites. But maybe it is time I trim down to the best activities. The ones that God wants me and my family to be involved in for this season in our lives. Maybe next year or in 5 years I can add in other activites. (I personally do not like this concept. I think I should be able to do all my wonderful ideas now, but I'm working on it, well - God is working on me, actually)

Now for the connection. When I start my day off with Bible and Prayer time, God supernaturally realigns my to-do list to match HIS list for me that day. Then, when I accomplish His list, I can rest my head at night knowing I got *done* what needed done. Maybe it was cleaning the entire house from top to bottom. Maybe it was spending all morning playing with my children, or making time for a hurting friend, or watching a movie with my husband.

And maybe, sometimes, it miraculously is a little bit of all those things!

So my challenge to you is to not have false starts to your day. Make time in the morning to spend time with God. Your whole day will be blessed. It really does work, but please don't take my word for it. I'll leave you with some scripture references - please look them up. Also, enjoy this quote from a great man of God:

Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day; but swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God. - Oswald Chambers

Scripture references:
* Psalm 5:2,3
* Proverbs 3:5,6
* Proverbs 16:3
* Proverbs 19:21
And my prayer for you? * Ephesians 3: 16 - 20

Interaction:
I am tired of false starts resulting in stressed out days.
I'm challenging myself to read the Bible and pray Monday-Friday mornings for the rest of November. No burden of a specific time requirement on this, just that I spend some time in the Word and prayer before breakfast. Will you hold me accountable? Will you join me?