It seemed when I was a child life moved slowly. In my child's mind, it seemed to take longer than a year for my next birthday or the next Christmas, or the next summer, to finally arrive. Now, as I am entering my late forties, I wish the time would slow down. It seems like only yesterday I was celebrating my last birthday, I find myself thinking, Christmas AGAIN? And then it seems as soon as summer arrives, it is time for it to end, and the fall and Christmas decor is all around us in the stores and advertisements.
I am trying to find a balance in living intentionally, but not filling my days and hours with so much that I can barely appreciate what I am doing. I want to be a woman of quality and not quantity. It’s not always easy with all of the distractions of social media and other things that tempt to whittle away every available second.
As I consider my day it’s not just about managing my time (hour by hour) there is a bigger picture: finding Gods purpose and direction for me and moving forward to accomplish this. I can't do this in chaos. I need order. I also know I tend to put myself last. I don't always choose to take care of myself physically or emotionally. This leaves me open as an easy target for distraction.
The Hebrews began their day the evening before with rest, family time, fellowship, and study. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus encourages us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness (start your day). So, it seems to me, if I take both of these examples it’s similar to book ends. Begin to prepare for tomorrow by getting proper rest, family time, and study/prayer and then when you wake up begin to seek God through prayer and reading His word. I can see the benefit in book ending my days with this structure however, I also know the enemy wants to throw every distraction possible to not allow this to happen, so I can’t get discouraged when it doesn’t happen. I will chose to focus on when it does and strive each day to be a book end kind of day.
There is always hope
Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Matthew 5:15-16