(Please click on pictures for a full-sized view)
I sat down to pray, asking the Lord to help me to be more disciplined, to get better organized and to be more productive. I had become more than a little frustrated with myself for my procrastination.
I entered my craft room and stood over a project I began five months ago. I had given myself a deadline of six months to complete it, yet it still lay on my craft table, unfinished. When I began, I thought surely, even though it was a fairly large project, I would have this gift ready to give by the Fall - not to be!
Distractions got in the way, health concerns plagued me, and I just, "didn't feel like it!" And things were everywhere! When I began this particular creative endeavor, I really didn't know what I was getting myself into, so I'd start and then find my mind drifting off to some other idea, and then another, as I pulled out more and more stuff until I couldn't see the table or the floor underneath me.
I decided I may never finish this project, was sorry I ever started, and left it and everything else where they sat and closed the door, feeling like a failure once again.
I needed help and knew that by myself I couldn't make the necessary changes I so desperately needed in my life. And so for two days I sought the Lord in repentance and prayer, asking Him to clear the clutter in my home and in my heart, to show me how to properly prioritize, live a well-balanced life, and in all things to honor Him.
Praise be to God, the Lord is working in me, and did give me the strength, determination and encouragement to begin to tackle this clean-up job. I have since begun to keep a daily planner for the first time in my life. And though I'm still a work in progress, I continue to seek Him for His help that I may live my life "on purpose", presenting all to Him, and trusting His plans each day as He leads and guides me.
My life in living color
the things to me God says
The thoughts I have and daily plans
Scriptures I have read.
Dribs and drabs and scribbles
and notes that would remind
To make the most of moments
to treasure the gift of time.
Setting goals to clear the clutter
jotting down my hopes and dreams
Expressing my faith creatively
prayers to God I breathe.
Poems and inspirations
and stickers marking a spot
Encouraging me to move forward
the next day's course to plot.
These tell a simple story
of my life and the schedule I keep
Recorded upon the pages
of each new day I greet.
Realizing God is faithful
rejoicing in the day
As I lift it up to Father
so grateful for all He's made.
Thankful God is with me
my times are in His hands
And so I come before Him
to lift up my daily plan.
He always goes before me
to organize and make
A path that I can follow
on every calendar date.
I lay out my little system
confident of success
For I know the thoughts He thinks toward me
giving me His best.
My thoughts in Him are established
He directs my steps
All my days are in His Book
I'm on the mark and set.
To go where He is calling
to do and just to be
All that I have plotted out
with the Lord to leave.
In Him I am accepted,
I am beautiful, enough, I receive
This gift of another sunrise
where the Lord supplies my need.
And so, I'm living my life on purpose
not flying by the seat of my pants
Equipped and directed by Father
not by feelings, my ability, or chance.
Asking the Lord for His wisdom
and to navigate my course
My Pilot giving guidance
Jesus Christ, my source.
A recipe for living
He has the perfect plan
Every day well-structured
a pattern arranged by His hand.
One I choose to follow
to live each day by faith
Organized and focused
priorities set straight.
Even in the little things
and the mundane I repeat
Discovering the sacred
in the schedule together we keep.
Yet, not rigid in my thinking
but thinking outside of the box
Open to His ideas and His prompting
excited, exclaiming, "Why not!".
Embracing the person He's made me
to know that it's okay
That I am like no other
but fearfully and wonderfully made.
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
they meet me where I am
To make the most of every hour
unto me to lend
All of the resources
I'd need throughout my day
In working, running errands,
appointments, rest and play.
And so, I give to Him my calendar
asking Him to fill in the blanks
Journaling my journey
doing all with a heart full of thanks.
Positively speaking
upon the pages of my life
I'm strengthened and made steadfast
by the Lord who gives me light.
I offer Him the first fruits
of this, my busy day
With outstretched hands unto my God
I offer Him my praise!
For You are worthy and I long to know You
so early I rise to seek
The living God who loves me
to hear the things You'd speak.
Then to follow in the footsteps
of Jesus, my Shepherd, who guides
Breathing Him in and breathing Him out
as we walk side by side.
Scripture Meditation:
Psalm 5:3 - My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.
Psalm 90:12 - Teach us to number each of our days so that we
may grow in wisdom.
Psalm 139:16 - Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
Proverbs 16:3 -
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be
established.
Proverbs 16:9 - A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your
own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your
paths.
1 Corinthians 14:33 -
…God is not the author of confusion but of peace…
2 Corinthians 8:10-11 -
And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only
to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of
it…
Galatians 6:9 -
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due
season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
