It’s Friday! Time for FMF…that time to write for five minutes – (largely) unedited and (for the most part) unrehearsed. If you haven’t yet, you really should check many of the other links here – it really is interesting to see how one word can evoke many different thoughts. And many similar ones, too!
This week’s prompt: ACCEPT
GO: After I quit working – or at least working at a job with a paycheck:) – I found myself in somewhat of a new season in my life. Suddenly, I was a SAHM…but not really “M” as that acronym implies. My children are adults. So, I am a Stay At Home…what? I’ve thought much about a correct title but defining this time of my life has been tricky – even trickier than finding initials to identify it.
For sure, I have more time. And, for sure, I want to be busy. I have the time to accept all types of invitations and to say yes to lots of opportunities. However, I don’t want to simply be busy, I want to be productive and, more importantly, I need to be a wise steward of my time.
STOP
God has not allowed me extra hours in my day to simply occupy – or preoccupy myself. Even in this phase of life, I need to seek His guidance and accept only those offers to be engaged or to get involved or make those choices “to do” that would be a wise use of my time and would be pleasing to Him. I want to accept – or decline – invitations and opportunities that help me “number my days” – use my days – wisely.
Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Oh my goodness, are you reading my journal, Jennifer?? This is exactly where my heart has been lately. This verse has been speaking to me for a while now, and for the same reasons. Thank you for sharing this today.
Wendy – So glad you stopped by. I haven't been reading your journal:) but I really like it when someone else is having an "aha" moment – and the Lord is speaking – through the same verse and in a similar way as He did to me! The Bible is wonderful that way!
Being a stay-at-home-terminally-ill-dying-dude, I can relate. I have hours in the day, and sometimes the only thing I can do is rest…even when there's so much needs doing!
But the essential tasks have to come first…like taking care of the dogs (we have a sanctuary for the unwanted and abused). ANy time left over…well, I used to do a lot of writing.
Now, I do a lot of meditating, which is not a bad thing.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/09/your-dying-spouse-365-i-live-impossible.html
Andrew –
I pray that, likewise, when I reach my final days (whether unaware or fully aware that they are, indeed, my final days) that I will be faithfully using whatever strength and abilities I have to love others and serve Him. Praying that God continues to give you exactly what you need each day!
I've been working on a mission statement for an organization. In doing so, it helps define what is a good invitation to accept or decline.
What would you say if you created your own personal mission statement?
I'm not sure what mine is, but Psalm 90:2 is a good reminder that considering how we use our day matters.