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Prioritizing

I heard at church this past weekend that the average person will make over 35,000 decisions in a day! That's a lot of choices with decisions to make in a 24 hour period. The bottom line of the message was to seek God in every decision no matter how great or small. I can't say I always do that. Most of the decisions I make are based on my feelings, mood or past experiences. I seek God in the big decisions but not always in the little ones like "How would you like me to use my time today?" 

I was reminded of the verses in Proverbs:

“He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”
Proverbs 10:5 NIV
And: 

“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Proverbs 31:27 NIV

 Oh man, when I am bored, lonely or overwhelmed with too much to do I tend to choose to go to the pantry and eat the bread of idleness. And by bread I mean anything close at hand particularly if it's chocolate. It never helps. In fact more often than not it makes matters worse. 

But when I pray first thing over my day and agenda, God shows me that there is work to be done here on earth so I don't have time to be bored. Reminds me of when our kids were younger in the summer months, by week two of school break; they would come to me and say "I'm bored" and of course, I always had something to show them to do. Just like my kids back then, I don't always want to do what God is calling me to do. It's easier to stay bored and eat the bread of idleness. 

Other times, God will show me people who need to be loved on and encouraged. I don't always look for that when I'm lonely. I tend to want others to meet my needs. But God is the only One who can and will meet all of my needs. I am never alone. He loves me, and you; enough to call us to love others as He does. This is such a privilege and honor that He chooses to use us in this way. 

When I am overwhelmed with too much to do He reminds me of my priorities. I don't need to do it all and most certainly not all at once. As much as I try. I can't tell you how many times I've been in the middle of a task when I remember another one I was doing five minutes ago. I return to finish that one and then remember the one I was doing before that. Before I know it (or my husband informs me) my car door is open with grocery bags still there, the vacuum cleaner is in the study, the dishwasher is open and half empty, my iPad is open to Pinterest with a recipe I was looking up and writing ingredients to buy for the next  trip to the grocery store  because they somehow did not make it into the grocery cart this go round...... wait - grocery cart, groceries in my car..ah! No wonder I can't get one thing done. 

Prioritizing and seeking God in what He wants me to do today gives me peace and order. I don't need to do it all today and I don't need to do it all period. There are more important things in life than making sure all of my ducks are on a row. Which for the record they never are. My ducks are always in a zigzag formation. I only need to do today what God has for me to do. But I need to ask Him in order to make the right decision. 

Seeking God in the choices I will have to make today will effect the life I live. I've heard this quote before and I'm not sure who said it first but our pastor said it again this weekend, "your decisions will determine your destiny." Wow, that puts things into perspective. What I choose today will impact my tomorrow. I think it is wise to seek what God wants me to do rather than just grabbing at a bunch of stuff and doing it because I feel like it or it worked out so well the last time. God knows me better than I know myself and He knows what is best for my spiritual growth. Clearly eating the bread of idleness isn't in the game plan. 

-Pressing On. 

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”
Psalm 107:8-9 NIV

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33 NIV
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
1 Peter 4:7-9 NIV

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