We all live very BUSY lives. Our lives may include work inside the house, work outside of the house, children activities, children school work, volunteering, church activities, etc. Not to mention some time with friends and maybe a few moments to ourselves. I have been in so many conversations these past few weeks about after work or weekend activities. And, as a working wife and mother of three very active children, my outside of work hours are usually busier than my inside of work hours. At the end of my rambling on about the activities I was able to participate in, my friends and colleagues ended the conversation saying something like, “I don’t know how you do it.” And, this is what I shared:
I can do it because I look at life so much differently after everything we have been through. Instead of looking at what I “Have To Do” in my life, I have change it to seeing what I “Get To Do”.
See, in the past, I looked at what I had to do. I had to:
- Get up
- Get ready
- Go to work
- Do great work
- Help others
- Come home
- Help at the house
- Spend time with the kids
- Spend time at sporting events
- Spend time with my husband
- Do more work at home
- Volunteer
- Help others
- Sleep
I focused on each activity as a “have to do.” I rushed from one sporting event to another and one meeting to another, thinking more about the next thing than enjoying the present opportunity I was in. I would focus so much on what I should be doing or what I had to do next that I would steal the joy out of what I was actually taking the time to do – with my family, with my friends, with my husband…
After everything that happened in 2014 & 2015, my view on life changed. My view on life is one of ABUNDANCE. We are blessed with 24 hours each day, and I want to make the very most of every second. Not every hour or every minute, but every single second.
- I try to find ways to fit more in, to see more people, to help someone out, to be there to listen, to just do more.
- I try to focus on the blessings I have and how to make the most out of every situation.
- I try to remember that when I get frustrated with what I “have to do”, there are others that are praying to have the opportunity to “get to do” that very same thing.
It has changed my perspective. It has changed my actions. It has changed my attitude. It has changed me.
John 10:10 (ESV) reminds us that Jesus came down from Heaven for us to live a life of abundance:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly
As we enter into the busyness of the holiday season, here is my prayer:
Heavenly Father,
I come to You in Thanksgiving! I am overwhelmed by the blessings You have provided and continue to provide to me, to my family and to those around me. While I know not everything has gone perfectly, I also know that You will use everything for our good. I know You have great plans for us, plans for a hope and a future (Jer 29:11).
Father, I pray that You please help all of us keep our eyes on You and Your plans. I ask that You please help us to see the blessings we have and make the most of every opportunity You provide us. I ask that You please help us live a life of abundance – looking at what we “get to do” and help us be very present in every moment.
Through Jesus Christ Our Lord,
Amen
