Important vs. Urgent

Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting

Jean Sophia Pigott

Jesus, I am resting, resting,

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,

And Thy beauty fills my soul,

For by Thy transforming power,

Thou hast made me whole.

Refrain

Jesus, I am resting, resting,

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,

Vaster, broader than the sea!

O, how marvelous Thy goodness,

Lavished all on me!

Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,

Know what wealth of grace is Thine,

Know Thy certainty of promise,

And have made it mine.

Refrain

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,

I behold Thee as Thou art,

And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,

Satisfies my heart;

Satisfies its deepest longings,

Meets, supplies its every need,

Compasseth me round with blessings:

Thine is love indeed!

Refrain

Ever lift Thy face upon me

As I work and wait for Thee;

Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,

Earth’s dark shadows flee.

Brightness of my Father’s glory,

Sunshine of my Father’s face,

Keep me ever trusting, resting,

Fill me with Thy grace.

Refrain

I was reminded today of one of my favorite hymns (lyrics above).  The reminder came while I was reading a podcast about PRIORITIES (DeMoss).  How the urgent isn't always the important.  I am notorious for being distracted by the URGENT and never getting to the IMPORTANT.  I've teased my middle sister for years about being DISTRACTED.  She was even given the "Spice Girl" name of "Distracted Spice", however I think roles have turned and I'm about to be given the title.

On this December 31st, I'm reviewing 2010 and wondering if I accomplished the IMPORTANT things, or I've stayed distracted by the URGENT.  Then  I look at my PRIORITIES: wife, mom, business owner, speech pathologist, Sunday School teacher, children's helper, friend, sister, daughter, etc., etc.  Your list probably looks much the same.  Those priorities are my IMPORTANTS, then the URGENT DISTRACTORS come: house work, bills, things I loose, things I over commit to, television, naps, music searches, Internet, etc, etc.  So the verdict is.. I have been more distracted with the URGENT than focused on the IMPORTANT.

I don't do New Year's Resolutions so, my commitment to 2011 is...
-to try to daily focus on the IMPORTANTS and pray that God will steer me from the DISTRACTORS when needed, some DISTRACTORS are in His timing
-to be FULLY present in whatever task I'm doing, if I'm working then FULLY working, if I'm playing with kids-FULLY present with them (cell phone off), when studying God's Word-FULLY thinking and listening, when my husband is home-FULLY present with him
-to keep the clutter removed from the house (this is the BIG one)
-Whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord and not man, Colossians 3:23
-So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God, 1 Corinthians 10:31

So, back to the hymn lyrics I shared in the beginning, staying focused on the priority of the IMPORTANT task of resting daily in Christ will keep me on track to my 2011 commitment.  "Keep me ever trusting, resting, fill me with Thy grace"

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

All things new!

Every time I go to compose a post I get lost in the words floating, sky diving, and hurling through my mind. I think that I have all these conversations that someone will be interested in and then realize, I'm really the only one who cares what is floating around in my brain. I'm not ironic with words, not great with grammar, or comical in a delivery. In spite of all this, I'm going to take a shot at it. I've been recently inspired by several people I went to college with who seem fearless to me.

These "fearless" people, as I have deemed them, would probably say to you that they aren't, however, in my eyes they're unstoppable and not afraid to try things new and out of the box. Now that I'm in my 30's I'm beginning to question if I'm just living or if I'm taking life by the horns, like they are. So, what would be fearless for me?
-Reading all the books I think I don't have time for
-embracing photography like I've always wanted
-singing without reservations
-being completely "present" with my boys
-running my business successfully and still having time to do all these other things
-cooking, really cooking with recipes and everything!
-becoming fluent in a second language
-using coupons!!!!!
-finishing a year long chronological Bible study

This is beginning to sound like a bucket list, not my intention. I guess I just want to wear too many hats or maybe I know that God created us all to fulfill His creation by being creative with the mind and body He gave us.

Regardless of the never ending list, I'm going to start looking at my day through the eyes of a 3 year old and 5 month old. So much is new, the smallest thing is inspiring, tasks are carried out with giggles & determination, and every day is new with excitement! Who cares if my eyes don't focus right, my abs are invisible, I think I don't have the resources, and my house is a scary mess. God makes all things new and I can be fearless too.

**The little guy above is one of my inspirations!!!!