priorities

Dec 2012

Tips for Eliminating Hurry

Posted by Glynnis

Happy New Year’s Eve! Are you sighing with relief that 2012 is almost over?

For many of you this has been a trying month, or maybe a difficult year. Perhaps you are anxious for the new beginning tomorrow brings. Hoping that 2013 will somehow be different. It might, but I’ve found the reasons for many of my problems starts with me, so I just tend to carry them over from one year to the next without some serious attention.

Today I’ve got a devotion running on Encouragement of Today about one of those problem … and that’s hurry, and the stress it has caused in my life. For many years I rushed from one task to the next, usually late and annoyed when everyone around me didn’t fall in line with my plans. Especially my three little boys, who were a daily challenge to get moving in the same direction – unless it was running down the aisle in the grocery store … away from me.

The bottom line was my responsibilities outweighed my capacity to manage them. Every day was an exercise in frustration – at myself, my home, husband and children. So I was always pushing the limits of what I could get done in my allotted time, and usually thinking one of these thoughts:

Why couldn’t anyone get it together!!
Why didn’t the demands stop?
Why did everyone NEED me so much!

I even got annoyed at the dentist’s office when I was rushing to an appointment … as if it was their fault my children’s teeth needed cleaning.

Hurry made me feel like a victim!! It made me feel like a slave to something (an out-of-control schedule, to-do list, appointments, etc), which is what Satan wanted me to believe.

Hurry steals the fruit of the Spirit from our life, like joy, peace, patience, kindness and self-control. But if hurry is an attitude of the heart – which is what I proposed in my devotion –then I knew I needed to make a decision to choose what matters most when I felt hurry start to well up in me.

In John 10:9-11 Jesus says, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.¹¹I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Jesus offers us the answer to a life that feels like it’s falling apart. Here’s how He modeled the cure for the hurried life every day: People over projects every time.

Oh, there are lots of time management tips I could give you today that would help you be on time. I could share with you a list of questions I ask myself that help me maintain a balanced schedule. But I promised in my devotion to share tips on eliminating hurry and this is the best one I can share today.

You see, when I’m more concerned with showing love to my family than on getting every errand checked off my list, then I’m able to be realistic about what I can get done.

When it’s more important that I’m kind to the grocery clerk rather than get through the line quickly, then I don’t mind the wait as much.

And if it matters more that I’m gracious to my family Sunday morning than that we get to church on time, then I model Jesus much more than if I was rushed and impatient.

Deciding to love the person in front of me more than my to-do list is the start of eliminating hurry from my life. It gives me perspective. It helps me stay balanced. It redefines my priorities on a daily basis. It also keeps me on time more than not as I choose to show up early so I can show love and honor to those around me.

Jesus was busy, but never in a hurry. That’s how I want to live my life as well.

Thanks so much for joining me today. And if you are interested in some tips for getting organized and better time management, I do have a book full of them!

In His Love,

Glynnis

23 Comments | Filed Under: Peace, priorities

Oct 2012

Is a balanced life really possible?

Posted by Glynnis

Seems like everyone wants a balanced life these days. It sounds so good! Right? But is it even possible?

I think it is, but for there to ever be balance, two opposing sides must be equal. One pound of feathers equals one pound of sand. Eight ounces of milk equals eight ounces of juice.

The problem for most of us is we try to make unequal amounts balance. If you are reading this in an email, you might want to read my Encouragement for Today devotion to get a better idea of where I’m going today.

I’ll never find balance when the basic parts of my life don’t equal out foundationally. For example, my biggest problem area is trying to fit too many responsibilities into my available time and energy. Sometimes this happens out of my control – like when my son tore his meniscus wrestling and several weeks were filled with doctors’ appointments, surgery and me happily providing TLC at home. That’s not what I’m talking about.

I’m talking about chronic over-commitment. This woman always feels rushed and slightly panicked, wondering what (or who) she’s forgotten, and asking herself if she will EVER be able to sit down and relax … and getting annoyed because her husband seems to be able to sit and watch football WHEN THERE’S SO MUCH TO DO!!! (harumph!)

Maybe you’ve got a handle on your schedule, but your home is chronically cluttered. Perhaps it’s because you are trying to fit too much stuff into too little house. If that’s the case, you might want to read back through my Clutter-Free Challenge I did in January. Click here to read the first post.

Back to the schedule issue. The best way I know how to avoid over-scheduling my life is to be confident (to the best of my ability) in God’s will for me at any given time. In my devotion I promised to provide a checklist that helps me figure out what God is asking me to do at any given time.

Basically, my checklist is more a list of questions I ask myself when I’m feeling pulled in a hundred directions and when I’m having trouble focusing. These questions help me assess my responsibilities and commitments. And if I’m spending lots of time on things that aren’t on this list, it’s time to start deleting or delegating.

Here is my list of questions and current answers:

What are my priorities?
What can only I do?	Develop my faith Take care of my health Be my husband’s wife Be my children’s mother
What has God entrusted to me?	The care of a home The care of children A ministry of writing
Am I a good steward of what I already have?	Do I love my husband and children as I should? Do I manage money well? Do I care for my home sufficiently? Do I work as effectively as I can?
What passion has God put in my heart?	To share the Good News about Jesus and God’s Word. To mentor other women in homemaking and productivity. To serve God through Proverbs 31 Ministries.
What has God asked me to do that I haven’t done yet?	Create a digital magazine for P31

You might want to develop your own list, or use mine. But whatever you do to find balance, make sure you ask God for direction and wisdom. He will answer you.

Some think it’s presumptuous to believe we can know God’s will. Yet the Bible makes it clear God isn’t trying to withhold that information. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Based on these words by the apostle Paul, we can know God’s will and His priorities for us. This verse gives two conditions for knowing God’s will:

Not conforming to the pattern of the world.
Being transformed by the renewing of our minds.

The pattern of this world will obscure God’s priorities for us every time, because it creates a self-centered life. A self-centered life is one in which we consistently choose our own desires, regardless of whether they line up with God’s ways.

Only Olympic gymnasts have perfect balance. The rest of us will always be wobbly. But so long as we keep our eyes on our Heavenly Father and His priorities for us, we’ll not crash and burn.

Thanks so much for joining me today. And I’d love to hear from you. What priority in your life needs a bit more attention? Post a comment and I’ll select a winner at random to receive my book, “I Used to Be So Organized.” (I’ve got an entire chapter on setting priorities, plus I share how I manage those priorities.) I’ll announce the winner on Friday.

Grace & Peace,

Glynnis

187 Comments | Filed Under: Hearing God, priorities

Aug 2012

The Most Important Things to Remember

Posted by Glynnis

Today ends Melissa Taylor’s online study of my book. And as a way of wrapping up, there are a few things I’d like to say, beginning with some ‘thank yous’!!”

First I must thank Melissa for believing that I had written something worth reading. Being an author is a vulnerable thing. And when I finished my book, I doubted that I had written anything original or helpful. I wondered if anyone would connect with me … or was I the only one who felt like they were losing it at times? Having Melissa choose my book was huge. I know she’s my friend, but I also know she would NEVER select a book just because she knows the author. So “thank you” Melissa for believing in me and leading this study with such humility and grace.

I also want to thank her team of beautiful sisters in Christ: Stephanie Clayton, Christi Seat, Angie Combs and Heather Bleier – plus all the ladies who lead online groups. I don’t know all of you by name, but I’m honored and blessed by your involvement in this study.

Finally, I want to thank all of you who participated in the study. As I mentioned a few sentences ago, being an author is a scary calling. At least it is for me. And when I read your comments saying something affirming about something I had written, it was as if God Himself was nodding and saying, “See … I told you I’ve called you to do this.” I’m so grateful to all of you.

Now, in closing, I’d like to end with what I think are the most important things to remember. And one small, final “home” work assignment.”

Things to remember:

1) Your identity and worth are NOT found in how organized your closets are, how clean your kitchen floor is or if you arrive at church on time. Your identity and worth come from being a beloved daughter of the King. You are chosen and of great and precious value to our Heavenly Father. Never forget that.

2) If I recycle all my old magazines, pack away winter coats and alphabetize my spices but have not love, I have nothing. Loving others and loving God trumps it all. Knowing when to stop what I’m doing in order to love someone else always blesses me in the end.

3) It’s okay to get help with what you aren’t particularly good at. That’s what friends are for. Accepting help does not make you less than. It makes you wise.

4) I am a steward of the time and resources God has given me. Seeing my schedule, home and responsibilities in this light keeps me motivated. I am accountable to Someone, and I love Him very much. I desire to earn the trust of my Heavenly Father.

5) Life is always a juggling act and having a perfectly balanced life is a myth. There is always something or someone demanding more of my time and attention. I’m always reevaluating my priorities and reallocating my time. So while I’d love to have a perfectly scheduled life, that’s impossible. I’ve learned to accept life as it is, be flexible, and seek to be kind and gracious at all times in spite of the demands.

Now to the “home” work:

Getting organized is an ongoing assignment. But it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and slip back into old patterns. That’s why it’s important to have a few fundamental systems in place. Here are a few key systems I set up years ago that I use every day: 1) my filing cabinets for important papers 2) how I process daily snail mail and 3) managing current school papers my children bring home. Without those basic systems, I wouldn’t know what to do with all the paper that accumulates in my house.

So my assignment for you is to identify what systems you need to have in place. Maybe it’s what to do with books, out-of-season clothes, sports equipment, photos, shoes, hats, etc. Make a list and put it in your project management notebook (you did create that, right? LOL). Then pick one and tackle it this month. Then next month, pick another. Bit by bit you’ll establish a firm foundation for your home and office.

Finally,

I do have one favor to ask. It’s my prayer that you enjoyed my book. And if you did, would you be willing to leave a comment on Amazon and Barnes and Noble letting others know what you thought about it? I would really appreciate it. To get to Amazon, click here. To get to Barnes and Noble, click here. Thank you!

Looking ahead in the next few weeks, on August 27th, I’ll be starting a 10-day back-to-school series with tips on getting you and your children organized, plus some encouragement for moms who are feeling a bit weepy sending their children off to school (I’m one of them). I’ll write more about it on Monday. Hope you’ll join me.

With love,

Glynnis

P.S. If you’d like to leave a comment, please click here to be taken to my blog.

38 Comments | Filed Under: priorities

Jun 2012

Knowing My Priorities Changed My Life

Posted by Glynnis

Today ends Week 3 on Melissa Taylor’s online study of my book, “I Used to Be So Organized.” A warm welcome to those of you who are reading today as part of your Friday assignment.

This week you read chapters six and seven, covering the topics of setting priorities and understanding the whys of disorganization. I’m sure some of you are itching to get into your closets and start organizing, and you are wondering why I spent so much time in the early chapters of this book on theory. And there’s a good reason why.

If I spend a day organizing my closet and don’t deal with the reasons why it got overloaded, I’ll be back where I started in six months (or less). The same is true with my schedule. If I’m overwhelmed and start slashing responsibilities to get some relief, but I don’t deal with my skewed priorities, I’ll start saying “yes” to the wrong things as soon as I feel better.

I don’t want a quick fix – for me or you. I want a foundational restructuring. My core thinking needs to be right. I’ve got to get honest with myself about why I say “yes” to too much and why I can’t get rid of things I no longer need. This is why I did a 15-day Clutter-Free Challenge earlier this year. Why spend even a minute of our valuable time “organizing” stuff that shouldn’t be there?

So let’s talk about priorities. Knowing your priorities enables you to make right decisions. Most times there are multiple levels to priorities. Let me give you a recent example from my own life. Although I serve God through a national ministry, serving in my local church is a high priority for me. But how I serve is based on my other priorities – mainly making sure my family is my first line of ministry.

We changed churches about two years ago, and rather than jumping right into service, I held back. I needed to make sure I could serve at church and still honor my first commitment to my family. It took a year of faithfully attending discipleship classes (aka Sunday school) and Sunday morning worship before God opened a door for how I was to serve. And it’s a perfect fit for me as I was invited to write a church-wide four-week study to go along with the pastor’s sermons.

In order for me to make good decisions, I have to be clear on my top priorities. Then I have to weigh significant decisions based on how they affect ALL my priorities.

This weekend, I’d like to challenge you to think about your current priorities. What do you value most? What’s important to you? What has God asked you to do?

Is there an area of your life that’s out of serious alignment with your priorities? If so, it’s possible getting that area back into alignment might be one of your priorities. (For example, if being a good money manager is a priority but you are deep in dept, then getting out of debt is your priority now.)

Now, write down all your current priorities. As you write them out, don’t worry about any order. But once you have them in one place, try to list them according to importance. Finally, compare this list with how much time you give each week or month to what’s most important.

Making sure my schedule reflects my priorities is an ongoing challenge for me. And please know, it’s never perfect. I often find myself having to pull back and reevaluate. I’ve also had the experience where I’ve gotten myself so off-course that it takes time to get back to a place of living according to my priorities. That’s okay too. I’m convinced God cares more about my heart to obey than my mistakes. He knows I’m not perfect.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this week’s assignments, I’d love to hear them. And thank you for joining me today. I’m delighted you’ve made it this far in Melissa’s study. I hope you will keep going. In some respects, it gets easier from here.

Grace & Peace,

Glynnis

P.S. If you are reading this in an email and would like to leave a comment, please click here to be taken back to my blog.

30 Comments | Filed Under: priorities, Uncategorized

Aug 2011

At the corner of brutally honest and broken

Posted by Glynnis

Last week I wrote about choosing good or God’s best. I was deeply moved by so many of the comments on my blog and on the P31 Devotion blog. It’s amazing how many of my sisters struggle with the same questions and frustrations as me. I wish I could say that I got total victory over the frustrations I faced when my boys were little. While God absolutely brought a revolution into my heart and life, I’m still the same driven person who needs to daily submit her wants and will to God.

So while I still struggle with frustration about my limitations, here’s the difference: I’m learning to be brutally honest about where I am.

Years ago, I never wanted anyone to see how out-of-control my life felt. No one saw the tears, except my little guys as I snapped at them, and swore they would never drink another Icee again if they didn’t act right. I can’t remember ever asking anyone to pray for me. I just got in and got out as fast as possible. Babysitters made possible all the activities I maintained until God turned my life upside down.

So when my husband and I adopted two little girls from Africa six years ago, I knew things had to be different. I stepped back from responsibilities for three years. During that time I was writing books and developing a speaking ministry. My plan was for three years to pass, and then I would start speaking more on a national scale. Because you see, a publisher wants an author who is willing to speak and promote her book. In my mind, they went hand in hand.

But life wasn’t going as I planned, yet again. Every time I left for a speaking event there would be a meltdown at home. My husband was always supportive. But something happened when I left the house. And it always centered around our youngest daughter.

For the next year (year 4 after the adoption) I tried to pursue the speaking ministry, feeling committed because of my book contracts. Until finally I had to admit that I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t travel. I couldn’t leave my husband with the serious challenges our daughter faced – even for two or three days. In my mind, I was also giving up my writing career as well. As the title of my post says, I was at the corner of brutally honest and broken. I grieved the loss of my plans and my future as I saw it.

It was at that corner God met me.

I held out my dreams of a writing and speaking career to Him, with no expectations of what He would do. It was hard, but I told the leaders at P31 that I just couldn’t speak and would have to step down from the speaking team. I asked for prayer from the some amazing women, and then life went on. I imagined doors would close, and that was okay with me. God had taught me this lesson before and I wasn’t going to mess up again.

But God wasn’t finished.

Within months things started to happen. P31 started a writing team which we’d never had before – with me as the director. We are starting an online P31 Youniversity where I (and the other P31 team members) can teach from home using webinars. Then God opened the doors for me to edit the women’s devotional Bible for Zondervan, and another project is in the works.

God also led us to change churches during the past year. We thought we knew why, but then we learned (after becoming members) that the church has a ministry to adoptive parents and a professional counseling service with two counselors certified in the emotional difficulties our daughter faces. We are starting new therapy this month.

It started with being brutally honest about my brokenness. Bringing two emotionally and spiritually wounded little girls into our home has challenged us. My family has been affected. I’ve been affected. I couldn’t go on as I was, and God knew.

I know this was a long post, and if you’ve made it this far, thank you. But I wanted to share just another part of the story that is still going on. There’s so much more God is teaching me and doing in our lives, but I’ll end for today.

Finally, I want to announce the winner of my book, “I Used to Be So Organized.” Jennie, posting on 8/5 at 5:02 p.m. was selected. Jennie – I’ll email you privately, but if it doesn’t go through, please email me at editor@proverbs31.org.

Thank you to all who posted and shared a bit of your lives.

Grace & Peace,

Glynnis

14 Comments | Filed Under: obedience, priorities