Are You Using Your Time Wisely?

Oh yes, how I love Crosswalk, along with so many other insightful spiritual newsletters. This one comes from Crosswalks Daily Update: Invest Your Time Wisely. Oh how I so needed this message. Some of you may too. Of course you know the routine. Click on Crosswalk.com on my side bar to go there.

So to give you an idea of what this message is about, it starts with:

"You’re always busy, yet never seem to accomplish all you want or enjoy the way you spend your time. Sound familiar? If so, you can learn how to invest your most valuable resource – time – in what matters most.

Here’s how you can invest your time wisely:"

The following are the titles of the categories discussed:
1. Start a relationship with Jesus Christ. (For those of us that already have, know the importance of this one. I pray others will learn as well.

2. Identify Your Time Traps. (Okay, this is one I definitely need to work on. Shhh, don't tell anyone.)

3. Be called instead of driven. (Okay, what in the world does this one mean?) Well this means are we called by the Lord to do what we do with our time, or are we trying to do it on our own? Are we just, so to speak, spinning our wheels with no purpose in hand?

4.Check your schedule against your priorities. (Huh? Really? We should be doing that?)

5. Deal with feeling overwhelmed. (Yeah right! How in the world does one do that when they kids everywhere? Ha ha, J/K!)

6. Deal with procrastination. (Ah shoot, I don't have a problem with that one! Yeah right! This is my big downfall. I've been working on it though. Our Pastor has talked about this very subject. Geesh, I need to get with the program.)

7. Deal with pressure from others. (Okay, if we have to. Actually, I have to say this is one since attending services for a little over two years now--gosh, doesn't seem that long!--I'm finally getting past what others think, say, and do. Woo hoo! Free at last! Thank you God!)

8. Deal with self stress. (Okay, how does one do that if we are the ones bringing it on ourselves???).

9. Make time for your loved ones. (Now this I can totally see, understand, and desire to do better with. So important, yet they seem to be the ones that get left behind all too easily when times get busy. Hmm, seems I done a post on this one not all that long ago--about slowing down.)

10. Invest your time in work that matters. (Hmmm, makes sense.)

11. Remember that time is money, and money is time. (Oh boy, does this bring back some memories. I used to say this almost very same thing to my crew at the last place I worked, and I believe at the one before that when we were in Germany. Oh yeah, and even stuck my foot in my mouth while up helping my little sister where she worked, filling in for a mom on maternity leave. I have a hard time with skaters/slackers, what ever you want to call them. I figure if you are getting paid to do a job, then by golly you had better be doing it. Well that goes for when one volunteers too. If you have time to stand around jollywhopping and what not, then you might as well clock out and go home. Now don't get me wrong. Customer service is very important. You have to make customers feel welcomed, that they are important, and you have their interest at heart. But...you don't have to stand around conversing with friends, co-workers and so on when there is work to be done. You can do that during your breaks and before and after work. Talking with co-workers can be done while working. But for some strange reason, when someone is talking, all work ceases?!?!?! I wanted to yell at times, "honey, trust me, it is possible to move your mouth, hands, and feet at the same time and you won't break!" Ewww, a bit harsh huh? I guess this all stemmed from my dad being a very hard working man, then going into the military, then marrying a perfectionist. Aggghhhh, they were all around me all throughout life. I can't help it if I expect someone to do their job with pride! Is that asking too much? Whoa girl, got way off track here. Yikes. Sorry all. Hee hee. Wind me up and watch me go. I guess there is a message here though.

Take pride in what you do. Put your best foot forward. Do it with the Lord shining through all that you do. Any way. I didn't mean to turn this into a tongue lashing post, a complaint session, and what not. I also wasn't trying to make a joke out of the list of things to follow. They are all good. It's just my way of laughing at myself for the ways that I get caught up in and need to change. The message is excellant, well worth reading. Yes it's a big lengthy, just like my post (blushing), but hey, would I lead you to something not worthwhile. No way!

Well you all have a great night/day, and God Bless each and everyone of you. You are all special!

God's Perfect Timing

God's perfecting timing never ceases to amaze me. This is a post to show His grace and mercy; not to boast.

Today my son asked me if I wanted to go out for lunch. I decided to take care of a couple of things first even though I knew he wanted to get going. Little did we know there was a reason for my taking my time. We finally headed out. When we reached a certian intersection, we had a red light. I looked away when I hear J say oh my gosh. I look up just in time to watch two cars impact one another head on. They hit pretty hard.

You see, we were meant to be at that corner at that time. I put on my emergency flashers, pulled to the side and jumped out to make sure everyone was okay. The first car I came to was an older woman. She was pretty shook up and complaining of her back hurting. She was going to call it in when I told her I would. Then I saw a young woman from the other car getting two young boys out. So I ran over to make sure they were okay and started to call the accident in when I noticed another woman in a vehicle on the phone and she motioned she had called it in. So I had my son put the little ones in our vehicle to keep them warm. It's only in the 20's here.

The older woman would not get out of her vehicle and refused to go with the ambulance as she had her dog with her. She asked that I call her husband for her and did. Once the ambulance, police, and all showed up, I was told to go back to my own vehicle. By then I had my son pull over into a parking lot.

The babies were kept warm and mom was able to sit in there with them while the EMT's checked them out, and she filled out her report. I'm just so thankful that we were put there at that time. It was too cold for them babies to be kept outside until help arrived. I just pray that everyone will be okay. The one little boy ended up being taken in the ambulance since he was saying his kneck hurt. The poor little guy was terrified. The ambulance crew was awesome though. Poor mom was really shook up and still in shock. My heart goes out to the three of them. Their grandma showed up to help out which was a blessing as well.

I also pray the older woman is okay as well. She was in shock totally and was still sitting in her car with the window down when we finally left there about a 1/2 hour later. My heart goes out to all involved. Yes, even the woman at fault. People make mistakes, and this type is most unfortunate, but we are to forgive. They have a tough road ahead of them, but even tougher if they are not with the Lord. May the Lord shine down on them, keep them free of nightmares, and bless all involved so that their suffering is short. And Lord, please take good care of those two little boys. They were brave even though they were scared. Thank you for putting us in the right spot at the right time.

The reason I know we were meant to be there; we never went to lunch afterwards. We headed towards there then desided to just go home and eat. God is Good! His timing, His mercy, and His love. It doesn't get any better. I wish the accident had never happened, but thankful to be there to help. We owe it all to His Glory!