Can we stick to the plan?
Most people only want 5 minutes of your time. But how many times does five minutes turn into ten or twenty. How many people does it take to disturb your whole schedule? Should we listen then plan?
Time management is an important part of our culture. I’ve heard women reveal how guilty they feel watching TV without doing something else. It’s okay to watch TV if you are folding laundry or doing ironing or cleaning. But you can’t just sit and watch TV or read. That is lazy!
Children are put into programs: sports and dance and music until they barely have time to breathe. They are busy from the time they wake up until the time they go to bed. As teens they are encouraged to take two or more AP courses a year, as well as sports and music, drama and clubs, and community service.
How busy is too busy?
As adults we try to jam as many things as we can into one day. Even our vacations are planned and programmed until we need rest up before going back to work.
Our work days are planned meticulously fitting in as much done as possible. We ignore the myriad of phone calls, unexpected meetings, and walk ins which usually interrupt our day.
What do we do?
We can plan for interruptions knowing they happen anyway. If they don’t, we have time to get more done. Is this the best we can do?
How does God help us time manage?
Proverbs tells us: We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it. And: We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but GOD’s purpose prevails.
A wise woman goes to God in prayer and then listens. Only then can she make her plans knowing God walks with her. She can balance her work and the needs of life, trusting God to show her which way to walk, which turn to take, when to stop, look, or listen.
Listen then plan.
- Smile and encourage others,
- give way on the freeway to other cars,
- let someone go in front of you in the checkout line,
- enjoy little children (they soon grow up!),
- listen to the weak, the needy, the elderly,
- cherish moments with your loved ones,
- hold to your hearts beautiful moments,
- and lift up your soul to the God who loves you
- give back your love to him.
Psalm 33:11-12 The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.
