Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Am I Too Busy Being Busy?

I read a really interesting post the other day. It was written back in March but I just caught it in my twitter stream recently and it caught my eye. It was titled "Busy-ness", written by jscottsmith (aka @sarcasticxtian). You can read it for your self here.

Anyway, I found it's perspective quite unique and a bit of a "toe-stomper" as we say in the South. I way too often consider myself too busy to take on much more than what is already on my plate. After all I work 50 - 60 hours a week, I have a wife and four children, I am actively involved in my church, blah, blah, blah. What I am trying to say, actually re-iterating the point made in Mr. Smith's post, is that I am busy; busy defined as busy making time for exactly those things I want to make time for.  After all, even with all the "busy-ness" listed above I still find time to tweet, read, write, watch TV, ride my 4-wheeler, etc. I am busy choosing what I want to do - and consequently what I don't want to do.

I guess it really hit home today because it was one of THOSE days at work. I was busy - all day long! I got so much accompished. Really, more than I thought possible. But then again, it was a have-to situation. Project deadlines. Fourth and long! Bases Loaded!

But it got me to thinking. Why do I not participate in life at that full, game-on level all the time? Do I give 100% at work every day? Do I engage my family with that same spirit? Do I live for Jesus with that same vigor? Do I serve Jesus with that same level of energy? I'd like to answer 100% yes - but I can't.

What do you think? Are you too busy? I'd really like some insight on this one.....please comment.

Ecclesiastes 3:17 (NIV)

I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed."

Saturday, August 21, 2010

So Where Have I Been?

It's been two weeks now since I posted and I'm wondering where the time has gone. It's certainly not that I haven't had plenty to say. So what then? Well, we came back from vacation and life just seemed to hit fast forward. Catch up on work, kids back to school - all the normal stuff that goes on anyway. So it's just me again. I haven't made the time to sit down and write. Guess there is no point in beating myself up over it. I'll just keep on trying.

So, we had a bit of a scare a few weeks ago -  the week before my oldest son was to return to University, we found out there was a problem with his Grants, Scholarships and Student Loans (due of course to the changes in legislation by our illustrious government). So we all got a little frantic. My son was sure that it was a sign from God that he wasn't supposed to return to school - just a bit dramatic, that boy. Me, well I'm busy calculating in my head how I am going to hustle up the extra money needed to "bridge the gap". Of course, level-headed Mama, got on the phone the next day and evidently called I don't know who and how many offices and agencies and got it all straightened out.

It's a little ironic though. Our first reaction was really not that God would take care of this need (although He definitely did). Too often my first reaction is what am I going to do to fix this, to handle this, To "get 'er done". Can't help it, it's part of the "hunter-gatherer" thing and that's how god created man. Don't get me wrong, I have to take care of my responsibilities but sometimes I just need to let go and let God!In the end it all worked out.  Fortunately I had the lesson the following Wednesday at Choir Bible Study and it made for a great illustration on pride. I love it when God uses a road-block to wake me up!


Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Is Anybody Out There?

It's a little bit funny! I am fairly well connected on LinkedIn and Twitter (no Facebook as of yet but I am consistently "pressured" by freinds and family members). So as I have contemplated over the last several months to begin writing I somehow semi-expected my followers and network connections to flock to my new blog (even though I KNOW it does not work that way).


I suppose yesterday I was a bit discouraged but today I feel good about it. I'm doing what I set out to do - write. My thoughts, my feelings, and who knows - maybe something quite extraordinary or at least somewhat interesting eventually. But it's OK. I feel that it is God's will that I share. My life, my stories, my experience, my testimony and perhaps, just perhaps, so much more.


So now, right now, I commit to just write. I'll take advice from my inspirational "blogging gurus" and hopefully improve each and every time I make a post.


Well, is Anbody Out There? I know you are. So many people, unique and individual in every way imaginable. That's how God created us. It is so cool. Really it is.


Much love and peace to you all!


James 1: 2-3 (NIV)
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Day One - A New Beginning

I have been contemplating my life, my faith, and my "good" intentions to begin blogging for quite some time now. This whole social media frenzy is a bit new to me - started last summer with LinkedIn and then by Fall I was on Twitter. I suppose like a great deal of people, I intended to "monetize" my time spent on Social Networking. A funny thing happened along the way - I found a bunch of amazing people that I enjoy being social with. I found tons of information, information that I am actually interested in, because I made connections with like-minded people. People who share my interests, my faith, my profession and even my humor.

And so it begins, a new leg to my journey through this life. I hope that as I dig deeper into this endeavor I will have the courage to share the truth about myself. I hope to improve my writing skills to bring interest and enlightenment to others.

So I'll sign off (for now). Hope you will check back soon! May God bless you all!


Galations 2:20 (NIV)
20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.