BALANCE YOUR TIME
Lately I have had a hard time finding a balance between busyness and time to be still. I used to have a good routine going when I went upstairs after breakfast to read the Bible and pray. Then I would spend a short time exercising. During that time I felt better, with more energy and no sluggishness at all. But I’ve allowed too many little things to creep in and steal that time.
How can I find the balance between duties, leisure and time at the Savior’s feet?
FINDING BALANCE IN QUIET TIME WITH GOD
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.
Reading further in the passage we see that their quiet time with Jesus was pretty short. It lasted only while they were in the boat. When they got to the other side the people had gone ahead on foot and greeted them there. But Jesus still had compassion on them. But even a little time alone with God is better than none at all.
Earlier this week I was chatting with some friends about needing time to be still, to get alone.
I knew I needed time to sit quietly before God listening to Him while praying and reading the Bible. My friend, Anna, had recently spent several hours one day in quietness before God. It meant she didn’t get other things done, but it was what she needed. In her instagram post that day Anna shares a little of what came out of her time of quietness. And this she shared with Bettie and me:
It meant a messy house that day I chose to sit still….but the mess opened a window of grace. ~Anna~
FOLLOW THE PROMPTINGS OF YOUR HEART
After chatting with Anna and Bettie I saw a notebook that held some of the poems I had written. I had the urge to open it, though I wasn’t sure why. They are just some old poems, I said to myself. But the thought persisted so I opened it.
One of the first things I found was a prayer/poem that was perfect for me to pray again that day.
Here is the part I shared with my friends:
FAITHFUL LOVE FROM GOD AND FRIENDS HELP FIND BALANCE
Next, I came to another poem that was also something I needed to read again. I shared it with Anna and Bettie, too, because we have each been dealing with spiritual attacks in different ways.
When things seem overwhelming and I feel discouraged or have a heavy heart I need to remember to go to Jesus.
I believe He is the one who prompted me to open that notebook and find these prayers. I hope you are encouraged by them, too.
10 “Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the [b]nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”Footnotes:
Psalm 46:10 Or Let go, relax
Psalm 46:10 Or Gentiles
Never underestimate the power of God and of faithful friends who pray and always point you back to God.
Anna and Bettie have been those friends for me. I urge you to visit them and be encouraged by their words.
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #FaithOnFire, #LMMLinkup, #TeaAndWord, #TrekkingThru
Thank you for the encouragement to take time to sit quietly before the Lord. Your friends are truly precious gifts! Thanks for sharing. Your neighbor at Faith on Fire.
Yes, they are definitely precious gifts! Thanks for visiting. Blessings to you, Cheryl!
Yes and Amen! I wrote along very similar lines on Balance! So thankful for the Truth –and friends/family who come alongside us and lift us up!
Yes, so thankful! Thank you for stopping by, Karrilee. Blessings to you!
Yes! Be still and know that I am God keeps replaying in my head and heart. Blessed to be your neighbor at FMF this week.
Yes, it is hard to be still sometimes, but oh the benefits when we do. Blessings to you, Tara! xo
Dear Gayl,
Oh I am so thankful that God has let us connect and pray for each other! He is so good to bring just the right words that we each need. I love seeing your poems written in your own handwriting. What a special gift. And how much I need to turn to Him in each moment also! Thank you for these precious words tonight, Gayl, and for sharing them with us this week when I really needed to hear them too. Blessings, love, and hugs to you Dear Friend! xoxo
Dear Bettie,
I am thankful, too, that God brought us together to pray and encourage each other. Thank you so much for visiting and encouraging me. Blessings, love and hugs right back to you! xoxo
What blessed faithful friends are! Thanks for your encouragement, Gayl. In these days of trying to get so much done, we really do need to remember to be still. Blessings to you!
Yes, these friendships are so important. Thanks for visiting, Boma. I’m glad you were encouraged. Blessings to you!
Lovely poems! Yes, balance is hard! It feels like something always falls by the wayside. I’m learning that I can let some things slide, but not my time with the Word!
I’m learning that, too, Katrina. When I let my time with the Word slide I always regret it. Blessings to you!
Remembering to go to Jesus will definitely help us find balance when we get off kilter one direction or the other. Thanks, Gayl!
Yes, it really does help to go to Jesus. Thanks for visiting, Lisa. Blessings to you!
Beautiful poetry! I always err on the side of busyness when trying to find balance. Thank you for the reminder to be still. When we are still, wonderful things happen!
Thank you, Laurie. It is easy to get too busy, isn’t it? You are right when we are still wonderful things happen. 🙂 Blessings to you! Thanks for visiting.
The description of balancing our busy schedules and time for the lord is very wonderful and it’s an eye opener for those who find it hard to get time off their busy schedules.
Thanks for visiting, Kayla! Yes, it is sometimes really hard to balance busyness and time for the Lord. I’m thankful that God will help us find that balance. Blessings to you!