Freedom to Hear God, Part Eleven: The Last Post on Busyness (maybe)

Missed Part Ten? Click Here

Before we leave this subject of busyness, I want to share with you a prayer I wrote, based on scriptures pertaining to the subject. I think praying the scriptures is one of the best ways to pray. It’s not only a great way to hide the Word in our hearts, but it’s also 100% guaranteed to be God’s will. What a deal!

I also wanted to share with you some of the changes I’ve made since starting this series. I told you I was walking this one right along with you, and I wasn’t kidding. Check this out:

~I went on a 40-day fast to consecrate this matter (and many others) to God in prayer. Daily, I’ve asked God to fill me with wisdom regarding how I use my time.

~I had a heart-to-heart with my husband about our schedules. Together we decided what changes we could make as a family. One that helped me significantly was his promise to schedule out some time to come home a little early one night a week and take Elijah to Cub Scouts on another night.

~I took a break from singing on the worship team at church. This was a hard one for me, because I love, love, LOVE singing on the worship team. I’m hoping God lets me have this one back sooner, rather than later.

~I took a break from my other blog, Fitness Friday Fanatics (also difficult for me).

~I completed a project already in progress: cleaning out and reorganizing every closet and our storage area. I cannot believe how much cluttered closets were affecting my mood and my stress level.

~After five years of trying–and failing–to keep this house clean, I finally hired someone to help me. All I can say is, “why-oh-why did I wait five years?”

~I found a friend to swap babysitting with me, so I could have six full hours, once a week, to write.

~I stopped checking e-mails every two minutes, and now only check two or three times a day. And I stopped writing LONG responses. I try to keep it to about five sentences or less. That’s hard for this writer-girl, but oh, so efficient. Except for today. I wrote my sister-in-law a long e-mail because I love her.

As a result, I’ve freed up enough time in my schedule to meet up with several friends I had been neglecting. My friends bring so much balance into my life. I heart them.

And today I met my husband and another couple for lunch (that NEVER happens) and lingered with Elliana while she pushed her baby doll in the stroller and stopped to smell every single flower. It was perfect. Especially, since all of that took place while someone ELSE was mopping my floors.

For the first time in YEARS–and I mean YEARS–I do not feel buried, stressed or burdened. It may all change tomorrow, but for today…it’s very, very good.

As you can see, I’m all for hacking things off our schedules. But long before the hacking begins, we need to get on our knees and seek God’s guidance. Only He knows how to perfectly balance our lives. Only He knows what tomorrow will hold. Only He knows what we need today to prepare us for tomorrow. So only He knows where to cut and where to maintain. If you haven’t made your schedule a serious matter of prayer, here is a good place to start.

Dear Lord,

I love you with all my heart and with all my soul and with my entire mind. This is the first and greatest commandment–So, I make it my top priority. And I also love the people you have placed in my life as I love myself–this is my second priority. Everything that pleases You flows from these two commandments. I ask that you would fill me with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding in order that I may live a life worthy of You and may please you in every way. I pray I bear fruit in every good work, grow in the knowledge of God, and that I’m strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might so that I may have great endurance and patience. I joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

According to the grace of God bestowed on me, like a skillful architect and master builder, please help me to lay a solid foundation and to guide me as to how I build upon it. My Foundation is Jesus Christ–the Messiah, the Anointed One. But if I build upon this Foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw, the work of my hands will become plainly and openly shown for what it is. For the day of Christ will disclose and declare it, because it is revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work I have done. I will not store up for myself treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and thieves break through and steal. But I will store up for myself treasures in heaven. Where my treasure is, there will my heart be also.

You are my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. You make me lie down in green pastures. You lead me beside quiet waters. You restore my soul. You guide me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. In you I find rest. I will take your yoke upon me and learn of You, for you are gentle and humble in heart. For Your yoke is easy and your burden is light. As I rest in You, I will be saved. Quietness and trusting confidence will be my strength. With every decision I face, I will stand at the crossroads and I will ask You where the good way is, and I will walk in that way. For better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with painful effort and vain striving after the wind.

Lord, I refuse to be worried and upset about many things, because only one thing is needed–sitting at your feet and listening to Your words to me. I choose what is better and know You will never take that from me.

In Jesus’ Name I pray…amen.

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So tell me, have any of you make any headway in YOUR busy schedule?