Busyness is addictive., at least for me. As my mom used to say, I have too many ” irons in the fire.” I have no idea where that idiom came from, but I take it to mean she tried to concentrate on too many things at once, and when it was time to used the iron to get rid of the “wrinkles” in her life, (the old term was cat whiskers) the iron was no longer useful because the fire had gone out, and the old “iron” couldn’t press the cat’s whiskers out of the shirt she had to iron.
Enough of mixed metaphors.
I stated recently that I was going to concentrate, for the months of June and July, on the necessary things I need to accomplish. So how is that going?
Well, I have finished book number thirty-two and today will submit it for publication. . . that is, if I can get the book blurb written, decide on a cover picture, relate it to the previous book, Seaside Serendipity so the book series can “work,” order the proof copies and get them read word-for-word, comma-for-comma, and declare it “perfect.” Of course, I tell my memoir- writers that ” perfection is merely a ten-letter word.” Right!
Then, I have to get a book to another reader here at Glenbrooke, but to do that, I have to go to the library and get it. It’s been sitting there since last Thursday.
Then, I need to read, cover-to-cover, the August book for Book Club #1.
Then, I need to call the piano tuner (what was his name again? I knew it last August) to tune the Yamaha at Nancy’s house.
Then, I simply must do some food shopping or we don’t eat.
Then, . . . Then. . . Then.
So, it’s 4:18 a.m. and I am reading my two Bible verses for the day to keep me focused, and I’m writing my blog and Facebook “What’s on my mind” piece. That takes reflection and concentration of the first thing, which is quiet time with my Heavenly Father, my go-to Source of all wisdom, who is telling my soul to thing about the things of my soul, and everything else will fall into place.
So, what are today’s messages? Well, Susie Larson’s Blessings for Every Day tells me to be unshakable. The Bible verse from Job 42:1-3 says: “Job replied to the Lord: ‘I know that You can do all things; no purpose of You can be thwarted. You ask, ‘What is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely, I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.”
In her fine explanation today, she writes from her wisdom of busy days, I’m thinking. “In this day of uncertainty, may God give you a faith that cannot be shaken. When all is in chaos, may you have divine clarity to see God’s highest will and divine movement all around you. May you know peace that passes understanding and pass it on to others. Stand strong, my friend! You possess all in Him. Walk forward unafraid.” Yes, indeed, I need her wise guidance, in deep inside, I know God will give me the strength and foresight to prioritize my “accomplishments” as I move forward today.
And then, I read my other desk calendar for July 8, which says, “Keep my Eyes on You, Jesus,” and Hebrews 12:1-2 gives me the courage to face this “busy” day: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses. . . let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus.”
Yes, indeed. By concentrating on the goals, the race to “perfection” can be run with vigor, and more importantly, by allowing me the grace I need to reevaluate the route I’ll take. First, I will pray for strength and endurance. Then I will make allowances for myself, just in case I don’t get everything accomplished. How’s that for a plan?
I find in my retirement, I’m not accomplishing a “boss’s” agenda, but my own. I’m my own “taskmaster.” When I put it all in perspective, things will work out–if not today, perhaps tomorrow. If the race is to be run, I need to let the guideposts, the finish line, allow for detours of grace and forgiveness of myself. Then, as each task, broken down into smaller pieces, is accomplished, each step of the way can equal the little victories, and tonight, when I try to sleep, I can see the tiny steps that completed the journey, and say the race was run well without too many stumbles.
That’s the story of then. . . then. . . then. and “Yay! the goal is in sight! The race is won! As my second desk calendar puts it (way down at the bottom of the page in fine print) “When we are tired and discouraged, we must focus on the goal!” Couldn’t have said it better. I will, as Susie writes it, “Walk (not run) forward unafraid.” Yes, indeed.
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