I’m a “go-with-the-flow” kind of gal. I don’t like to be too structured though “loosey-goosey” makes me crazy, too.
Pretty much like everything else, I fall right in the middle. I like to have a plan but I don’t hyperventilate if the day goes awry. I have found that much of the beauty of life can be missed if you’re a rigid slave to your own plans.
But I am beginning to realize that I really need to rework my schedule now that I have three young children, co-coordinate a MOPS group and am trying to launch a freelance writing career while also maintaining a blog.
This past weekend at Relevant 2010, I became aware that it might be wise to actually compose a schedule that will allow me to focus on 1) God, 2) my family, and 3) writing. My blanket excuse had always been “I just don’t have enough time in this season of my life.”
I’m slowly realizing that no quiet time with God is sucking me dry. Sure, I usually get it in somewhere during the day when I find a free moment juxtaposed against preschool pick-up and drop-offs but there were no consistent chunks of time with Him to really read His words and talk to Him in prayer.
After listening to a few speakers this weekend, mainly Crystal Paine from Money Saving Mom and Courtney Joseph from Women Living Well, I was inspired to be a little more intentional about my day and see if some of the frenetic pace of serving three children under five and a husband could be calmed.
It’s still nuts. But a better kind of nuts.
I loved Courtney’s advice to be the first one up each morning. I usually wake with my children, thus leading to an overwhelmed start of the day which leaves me feeling like I am already late before my feet even hit the floor. This sets the tone for the rest of the day and it seems like I can’t ever catch up.
For the past two days, I have gotten up at 6 a.m. and had quiet time with Him. I can then get organized for our day and be ready when the pitter-patter of little feet hit the hardwood floor. Most importantly, I am working hard to not ever see my clock reach 11:00 in the evening. I need to be asleep by then each night if I am going to be up with Him by 6 o’clock the next morning.
Two days does not a habit make and I know this – I share this with you so you will hold me accountable. Please don’t hesitate to ask me how my schedule is going.
Susannah has a new Bible and we have started reading Genesis 1. This is a book in the Bible I have read often and yet I chuckled at God’s message.
Even He organized the earth. Semblance and order was part of His plan, too.
Night and Day. Water and Land. Categories of animals. People.
We are made to serve Him, to glorify Him. But we really can’t do that if we can’t find our way out of a paper bag.
There must be a plan. And boundaries that protect that plan.
I read in my mothering calendar today that each time we say “yes” we are saying “no” to something else.
I’m sorting out and organizing what’s really important, what really matters, and letting the rest blow away with the chaff.
I’m pretty certain that’s what He wants anyway.
I love the first hours of the morning Natalie, when nobody is up and about but myself. I haven’t been rising early enough, keep too long hours at night. I know I need to re-organise my day also.
I loved how you tied in the creation story with this. Yes, even God was organised and ordered. Fantastic point.
Happy WFW and God bless you sweet sister…
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Word Filled Wednesday =-.
I started getting up before my kids about a year ago…and something was suggested to me that I have to share with you because it has had multiple blessings.
Often my pitter patter of little feet would begin before I was quite finished with my quiet time. SO, I was told to create a “quiet time basket/box” for the kids…with little journals, bibles, etc. …and encourage my children to join me in quiet time for those remaining moments.
My daughter (5) loves this…and it has allowed a potentially frustrating moment to become a spiritual teaching time! I hope it helps you too…Love and Smiles!
.-= Bobbi´s last blog ..Word FILLED Wednesday: My Joyfilled Light =-.
So lots of talk about the Relevant Conference around the blogosphere…so jealous, it must have been good!
If I don’t get up before my family and have a little quiet time with myself and with God I’m nuts and not a “better nuts”.
Bobbi, Love the idea of a quiet time box…
.-= Amy Sullivan´s last blog ..Me Me Me MeA Guest Post at incourage =-.
ohhhhhhh this is sooooo good! You know I discovered awhile ago that if I don’t have HIM in the mix…it ALL falls apart. My prayer / study time has flip flopped…it used to be in the early morning…and now it’s late at night…Just the season of life…
It’s all about boundaries huh??
By the way…just read your devo article…OH. MY. WORD. it was amazingly good! You don’t have a signature so I’m going to make you one that links to your site when you put a devo in…okay??
(((hugs)))
Good for you! I’m working on the same wake-up time goal of 6am -too these days.
I’ve decided to reward myself with an i-tunes download for each week I am successful in getting up every day for a little extra motivation and music is so inspiring and encouraging to me as well.
Best wishes on all your goals! ;)
~h
Wonderful words of wisdom you’ve shared and it goes along so well my pastor message least week regarding organization and how God himself is one that follows order.
.-= Wanda´s last blog ..Slipping Away =-.
Sounds like you have a great plan and are well on your way. I think that sounds like a wonderful schedule focused around what is important. Good luck1
.-= debbie´s last blog ..Achieving a New Low =-.
Hello Natalie,
I am a friend of Beth Bartlett’s she shared your blog with me and I wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed reading some of your writing. We have similar “stuff”
A few differences: I am older and have a 30 year old daughter which is unbelievable because I look 30……ish.
Anywhooo- just wantes to say hello and let you know you blessed my day today :-)
Diane
Diane, what a gift you are to me today. Thank you so very much for taking the time to read what is on my heart and for leaving a comment. That Beth Bartlett…She is a firecracker. A dear childhood friend…
Thank you again for reading, Diane – how great to “meet” you!
I love this! I am like you, routine oriented, but not schedule minded! Even so, I definitely learned from these ladies too, and have started some practices in my life! 1: I’m not working in my PJs in the morning. Get up, Take a shower, get dressed to the shoes, then work! That probably sounds weird to some people…
Have you linked this post on the Relevant site yet?
.-= Real Life Sarah´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: To Him Who Sits On the Throne =-.
Hey girl! Isn’t it cute how God puts similiar things on others hearts at the same time he does your own! I love that! Anyways, I got reprimanded by Ryan’s teacher today for not spending enough time reading with him, but the truly painful part was, that I knew it was absolutely true. I too am trying to be more intentional about my schedule. Working full time, leading a group, being a mommy, having my daughter in our local production of the Nutcracker ballet, helping my son with Aspergers, working full time, writing, maintaining my blog, and oh yea, being a wife, and spending time with God is impossible without being intentional with my time. Thank you so much for the reminder! Love and Blessings!
Loved this, Natalie. There was so much wonderful material at Relevant, and I think the stuff you hit on was at the top of my list, too. I’m tired of living in and giving leftovers…
Way to go on adding the gadget things on top..how on earth did you do that? :)
xo,
Erin
PS: See my post tomorrow..we are so on the same page..
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Blogger WordPress Or Part II =-.
Hi honey
Funny, I’m up this morning at six-thirty trying to catch up on many loose ends before I head to work today and you know I’m not an early morning person. He must be sending us the same message. I do think your scheduling idea is a great one-have quiet time for meditation just for you before the Indians start their dance for the day. Now I will be very interested if the eleven o’clock thing will work-you know, that means your Nook must be turned off:)
Love you so much
Mom
Getting up before the kids is the only way I get to have a consistent quiet time…and I am a better wife and mom when I do. Love reading you, my new friend!