The Value of Priorities

Last year, I was on bed rest at this time of the year. It was nice. It was quiet (yes that was the last quiet I had). I got lot's done because Jeff and Kevin, our worship and youth ministers, couldn't come sit on my bed like they do my couch in my office. That would be odd.  I knew that I had set myself up for a difficult year. I was going to have a baby, a six year, a ministry, and of course, a husband that needed my attention.  Mom and wife being the first priorities in my life, I knew it would take focus to accomplish anything new and exciting in ministry. And help! Lot's and lot's of help.

So, I set goals. Five in fact. Simple goals of where I was going to spend a majority of my working hours. These were based on our "Love God, Love Others and Serve the World" process of discipleship. They were done knowing that we have some incrediable leaders in our ministry at Kingwood Church of Christ and I should stay out of their way and focus on the ministries that need leadership. After all, God has called us all to minister. So, I resolved to serve the other leaders in ministry at Kingwood and focus my leadership on five items. I don't know if it matters in this post which five I chose.

As I look back on 2009 and I'm wowed by what God has done. By seeking God's will for our ministry, writing down the priorities I believed He had in mind for us, and working towards those for 365 days, I know that God can do immeasuably more than what we can ask or imagine. Best of all, I can look back on 2009 and know, for a fact, that my time and effort made a difference. It's not perfect. We still have work to do. But, things changed! Kids grew in faith. I grew in confidence in my ability to lead effectively. We had some incredible successes!

A long time ago, I heard a sermon by Andy Stanley, I believe, that talked about "keeping margins" in life. In other words, protecting the people God will hold you accountable to by making time and keeping some of the best of yourself for your family. Because, if you are successful as a minister, teacher, lawyer, or hamburger flipper, but your family never sees you and gets the leftovers, it is all for naught. Setting priorities, for me, allowed me to leave margins. It gave me the ability to say "no" when needed. It also gave me the ability to push just a little harder because the importance of an activity had been identified and had significance.

This year, I will again evaluate my priorities for my career with the liaison elders that have been so great to encourage and support the children's ministry and me personally. I am also thinking about priorities for my family, such as maybe actually taking a vacation this year and reading the whole Bible with River this year. Soon, those will be written down, and I'll live by them, because at the end of 2010, I will be able to look at those and know exactly how God has used me for His purpose.

Peaceful, quiet ... MOMMY!

I started a children's ministry blog a few months ago. If you know me, you know that I'm lucky enough to be serving in a career field that is also my passion. I love being able to teach and lead children closer to Christ. But, that is only part of me, the least important of my three hats but often the most expressed. Since I enjoy my other blog, I'm trying a new style of blog, one that is my thoughts. Watch out, it might get a little scary.

The other day, after a day that it seemed that everyone wanted to talk to me, I titled this blog "Quiet? Really?" Since then, I decide to change the name so it's not a reaction to what seems to be my typical day. Well, lately, I have found my brain on overload to the point that I see people's mouths moving but I can't comprehend a thing. Sorry friends and family, that's just the way it is, I don't like it either! I'm blessed to have my son go to work with me but recently I realized I don't have a single moment away from the bustle of family life mixed with a busy career. I'm so full of others information and ramblings, I'm not really sure what's going on inside my head.

So, quiet, I think, is something I desire but find it very hard to attain. Quiet doesn't reflect just a lack of sound, which, oh my goodness, I wish I had about 10 minutes after River gets out of school and David gets off of work. But, quiet, as in the still and peaceful soul that is resting in the knowledge that one belongs to Christ.

Sarcasm is one of my strongest personality traits. Probably not the best! And, sarcastically, I don't know if I will ever have another quiet moment in my life. I have a daughter. She likes to talk. Even to herself if no one is listening. But, realistically, God has promised all of us quiet as we rest peacefully in His love. And, while I won't attain quiet by pounding away at a keyboard, I will move the distractions from my mind and into cyberspace, while allowing God to fill that new found empty corner of my mind with Him. Peace. Really!

PS - Just a quick River story. The other day, she came into the room to tell me something after an extended quiet time in her room. She said, and I quote, "Mom, I was thinking about something and I said, "self I should ..." Yeah, seriously. David and I love to quote that now! Speaking of which, guess why I instituted "quiet time"! Someday it will be more intentional, right now, it's completely selfish!