Preserve Priorities – Abide in the Vine

August, former procrastinators, means we look at priorities and routine.  Fall brings so many required or available pursuits, it’s easy to lose ourselves in activity.  Recognizing priorities is key; they’re the few most important things.  Routine helps us do the most important things.

As my friend says, activities do not equal priorities.  There may be overlap, but they are not synonymous.

If we have school students, we fall into the framework of their classes and extracurricular activities. We let those things shape family life.  They certainly affect family life, but we should ask the Potter to enter our situations and shape our lives Himself.  We don’t have to surrender all family time or all priorities to the team/ rehearsal/work schedule. 

What do you believe God is leading you to focus on in your life this year? What do you and your son or daughter recognize God wants him or her to focus on?  If participating in an activity is appropriate, consider how you could meld the two.  For example, is promptness a priority?  You could incorporate being ready to leave the house for practice and all other events with margin.  If your daughter’s moving out of her comfort zone is a priority, an activity that makes her a little nervous might be a good stretch.

You can still focus on your priorities even though the schedule imposes requirements on you.  Avoid thinking “My son plays soccer so anything we want to do is shot to pieces.”  Soccer season may dominate much of life; but running through that current can be focus on the priorities God has revealed.  Putting others first, being an encourager, expressing gratitude versus complaining, patience, learning to lead, learning to follow, praying for team members, coaches, etc. 

Check yourself for follow through.  Are you taking advantage of opportunities afforded by the activity?  Talk about your focus at the dinner table.  Pray about it together and alone.

Activities and priorities take time and energy. If we’re alert to potential overload and avoid it, we can give attention to the most important things. Will an activity interfere with abiding in the Vine?

It may come down to choosing between activities.  I remember, “Mom, I’m going to stop swim and dive team because I want to do speech and debate.  There isn’t time for both.”  Sometimes the academic year is so heavy it’s unreasonable to take on a sport.  Or, for a short period you may have to carry the heavy load of both.  Sometimes you might have to drop the extracurricular to get academics up to speed.  Recognize your priorities and settle on that focus.

Be creative.  Family dinner may be non-existent for a season.  What about two mornings a week for early breakfast? (Sacrifice required.) Instead of dropping Bible study, what about offering a study to interested teammates?  

Clarify priorities, then see how you can take advantage of activities to fulfill them.

What priorities will you work on through an activity this year?