Friday's Ramblings!

Yay! The weekend is here .  .  .  This is where most people have some plans involving FUN.  You remember fun?  You could also go as far as saying yay .  .  .  the weekend is here and you've already filled the time with planned LONG to do lists. You know the stuff that you can't seem to get to or finish throughout the week.

For some reason or another we can find ourselves just busy.  Busy with this and busy with that, where FUN doesn't seem to fit into the equation; where you are finding you're in a situation that you are very tired of.  Where - "what the heck"! Seems to be the topic of discussion for it does not appear to go away and stays there for another day to tackle.  

Well, I am taking a break which in and of itself is humorous being the topic is what it is .  .  .  I just came in from working in the yard, now 9:58 AM, I did get up pretty early.  Here in the west you try to get outside stuff done before it really heats up.  You also try to get as much done that is on your "list" before it gets closer to summer for when the desert heats up it stays for a long long time.  Some like it, but the older I get the less I do. [ Some will say ahhh the evenings are so beautiful! That they are but I'm usually to exhausted to enjoy them!]

Once inside after doing whatever outside, you finish or try to finish stuff indoors.  I have without a doubt been working on making things easier for a long time and each time you realize there isn't an end insight.  I believe all of us can and do get stuck in that spot a time or two.  Where we absolutely need to refocus ourselves.  Whatever it is that we find ourselves stuck in sometimes  even busy at nothing and have NO IDEA what just happened with the day, week, month .  .  . or our lives. [extreme - yes, and happens]. You start to look at other ways out and end up in something else, not always seems the best option - just something else. 

It isn't always a honey do list, or a self do list, it could be anything that seems to put your life on hold from priorities which are genuinely important. I am not sure any of this makes sense at the moment or will. Some parts of "busy" keeps us from many things. When my husband was living and when our boys were younger he worked many hours and later on worked in another location and traveled. The job was high paying and he wanted very much to provide what he believed - all our needs and time enjoy our life.  He was gone so much of the time I said to him, the very thing you are doing to improve our lives is the very thing that is keeping you from those you are doing it for. It was not the answer but did improve once we relocated.

I am no stranger to hard work though I will say I desire to cut back and spend more time on the real important things, that has always been my desire. You will have to determine for yourself what that is for you.  For me I just want to be a blessing to the Lord and walk in His Will. This too is something the adversary will also try to keep you from.

Sometimes, I believe, we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed with life, choices, moving in the wrong directions, emotions and things we can't let go of, - most recent of lockdowns; the fear of illness or is it the fear of just living?  Depression can grip us and just about everything in this world sucks us up in the ever consuming lack of time. We in turn become miserable even critical of others that can't seem to measure up to the expectations placed on them from us and ourselves in all the busy. People everywhere are busy with many things and reasons.  Some get busy to forget something sad or hurtful. Maybe rejection - even the loss of someone dear. It could even can start out small until it has taken us captive absorbing our entire being. 

I often think of Paul when speaking about being content and I imagine this post is somewhat two fold, maybe to think about - if we are content - at peace in all situations, as well as, what might be robbing us of an inner peace / contentment.  Speaking for myself I like to have things done and uncluttered believing I will enjoy and relax without looking at all that should be done! lol  When there is nothing peaceful about being driven by busy, unless it is something you seem to enjoy. My husband fed on different stresses at work - like the excitement of working with a team etc., this is not what I'm referring to.  

The busy I'm referring to is what could also be the very thing that is keeping you from you. Your  personal health, your mental outlook, your soul that needs fed .  .  .  your whole wellbeing. The very person you were meant to be. That ALL of what consumes your time or you mentally and in turn your time with God .

I have shared with others about assessing their situation and priorities.  Write down the one thing that has to be accomplished that day, if you are in a difficult spot pick one while others could chose more. Try not to focus on what isn't done. We are working towards peace of mind - contentment. Frankly trusting the Lord in all that we do.  Trusting the Lord in all things; for His wisdom and guidance, our very lives by putting Him first.

Recently I found myself in another spot. My Uncle passed away and I ended up bringing "stuff" home to go through etc.  I started become disgruntled at how things were going only to realize I was losing my focus that should have remained on the Lord.  God has never disappointed me, though mankind can and I have disappointed others. "He always remains the same."  As soon as I refocused - even renewed my thoughts if you will, the spot I was in improved.  I still am dealing with stuff but I have contentment - peace about it. 

Everyone reading this today has something to add here and bring to the table of this conversation. Even to say we can't doing everything even though we try sometimes we just need help. And, whether we are physically trying to finish a job we started or was hoping for - that idea or dream project - even just to have a conversation that mentally improves our outlook;  we do have to start somewhere. I suggest - 

Take time with the Lord and place your day in His care.  Ask Him how best to tackle what has been swallowing up all your time.  Maybe organize your day better - by planning things out help but don't be discourage if something throws a wrench into the mix, say a prayer, refocus, maybe count to ten + if need be, just breathe; above all give it to the Lord! 

The ideas I shared are simple and just a few for being to busy doing things. If you find yourself not doing anything just vegetating and not letting go of "what ales you" as my gram would say;. God can help with that to.  He loves you and wants to free you up for better things ~

You might like an old post I wrote 2009 Busy Day.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in what. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3

Okay - so today, I got one of those wrenches thrown into the mix of things I was doing and It took ALL day off and on to finish this post! I managed to stay content ~ 7:35 PM  :)

Shalom ~

Maybe take some time for fun - like read a good book .  .  . or paint some cans and sticks .  .  .  just what I'll soon share like the pictures and don't forget the glitter! :)  Something the kids and I did maybe a year ago and it makes me smile ~ VB