My apologies for recent technical glitches, former procrastinators!
This is the season when activities kick into high gear. When school starts, opportunities increase for everyone. Classes, clubs, ball teams, gymnastics, Bible studies, choir, music lessons, extra projects. We look forward to resuming favorite activities and taking on new ones. After a few weeks in the fast flow of fall calendar current, we could wonder “Are we doing the most important things?”
Better to face this question before we get involved. Otherwise, we can pass through the year delaying focus on the most important and end up with results that disappoint. Activities can assist us – or propel our ships away from ports we want to reach.
Now is the time to think through what’s most important so we can establish routine around those priorities. Routine enables us to do the most important things.
Therefore…base routine on priorities, not activities.
That counsel from a wise friend has made me think many times. Some activities are priorities, but not all activities are. It can vary from person to person even within a family.
Activities make “noise” and are demanding. Priorities are “quiet” and can go unnoticed. What about Bible reading? Scripture memory?
Activities can distract us from the most important. They can be on the calendar or pop up suddenly. They require attention and energy that we divert from priorities. Are we reaching out in service to others? Connecting with friends?
Activities can overload us. When we feel overwhelmed, we often stall out. We drift away from action on priorities and into “survival mode,” rushing –or limping – from one activity to another. Is my work done well or barely? Did I visit my sick aunt?
Activities can take over our thoughts, time, and energy. Thus, they can control us and our families. Do we have dinner together? Do we deliberately work to grow in character?
To avoid activity takeover – and increased procrastination -remember we get to choose. We don’t have to sign up for all that’s offered, or everything a child asks for, or what other people expect. We can seek God ahead of time about where to commit. We can listen to our husband’s or friend’s counsel about how we and our family best function and contribute. These help us establish parameters for what and how much we will take on.
As a mom, I got so caught up in good activities that I neglected some higher priorities – fun hangout time together and serving others.
Activities can push our bowling balls into the gutter so we miss hitting the priority pins. Routines -bowling bumpers- establish and protect a set time for doing priorities. When will I memorize scripture? Which nights a week will we eat together? What day will I reserve for friends?
Rather than being swept up in a fast moving current of activity, let’s chart a course that moves our ship into priorities – where we really want to go.
What priorities and routines will you determine before fall begins?
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