Are you like me? Does every day start with a list of things that have to be done? Many people can get through their day with a mental checklist. I’m not one of them. I need my written list. After it’s written, it needs to be prioritized.
And then stuff happens. Some are simple distractions like Facebook, Free Cell, Instagram, Twitter.
Or we discover we’re missing a vital ingredient for supper. Or the boss asks us to work late to finish a project.
Sometimes, unexpected things come up. A neighbor stops by. The car gets a flat. The sink backs up.
Let’s not forget emergencies. One of the kids gets sick and has to be fetched from school and needs a trip to the doctor or emergency room.
We only have so much time. Sometimes we can’t control what happens to it.
But we need to work on spending our time wisely.
Every day demands to be seized. Do we take the day or do we let the day grab us?
I want to think I seize the day through my calendar and my to-do list. But too often the day gets away from me.
When the day starts to unravel, there’s a scripture verse that reminds me to not lose the day by renewing my mind. Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB)reads, Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
When I let him renew my mind, the stuff circling my head, the tasks all demanding attention now, fall into order. His word sharpens my mind, heart, and soul. Change will happen. Order will come.
Renewing my mind in his peace, lets him guide me into what needs to be my priority, what can be postponed, and, believe it or not, what doesn’t have to be done at all. At least by me.
The day can still feel hectic, but it doesn’t feel out of control anymore. And the most important things get done because he’s revealing his good, pleasing and perfect will for me.
What do you do when your day threatens to spin out of control?
The only way I’ve ever found to grab my day is to beat the devil to it! … by arising early, while it’s still dark, and getting in my prayer closet. It is from that place I can see the day before it happens and speak His will into it. Wish I could say I am 100% faithful and I’m working on that. I just know the day looks different to me when I see it before it happens as opposed to seeing it “part of the way in” … after it has begun! Great post!
I pray I will let Him renew me today and every day. His peace is a comfort. Have a blessed day!
Thank you, Judy. I admire your determination to arise early and begin the day with God.
Thank you, Melissa.