Avoiding "Time-stealers" preparing for the holiday season‏

I must first say, I missed blogging but life somehow got in the way. Between leading worship for different churches and heading into a new season of ministry, I became a little sidetrack but so happy to catch up with my blogging family. In the meantime I finally now have a pinterest page and an artist facebook page.
 

Today, I want to discuss "time stealers" as we prepare for the holiday season. As I write we have 25 days to Thanksgiving, 56 days to Christmas and 63 days to the New Year. At times we get caught up in the everyday day hustle and bustle that we forget that God has a plan for us to finish the year strong. Here are a few questions that will help us all refocus on his plan for our lives and end 2013 strong!
 

 I entitled this "time stealers" because I heard someone say, if we do not have discipline we will let time tell us what to do instead of us telling it what to do. For the last 2 weeks, I wrote down exactly what I did with my time. Here is a break down:
 

·       I spent over 5 hours on average dealing with co-workers and their complaints about life and work.

 

·       I spent over 20 minutes a day repeating to my husband what he needed to get done for the day.

 

·       I spent at least 6 hours after the fact, feeling guilty for yelling at my 3 year old who decides almost every morning to have a meltdown just before we leave home for the day because he must take at least two of his favorite toys to preschool (smile).

 

·       I spent over 1 hour a day looking at updates on facebook and twitter that are mostly things that will not make a difference in my life.
 

Can you relate? I must say that helping co-workers, husbands, children and staying updated on the lives of our friends is not a bad thing but is it taking away from what God wants us to do on that day? The bible says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” What have you been doing that takes way from God's plan for your day? Here are a few questions to help us reflect and hopefully have a better focus as we end the year.


 

1. What is the one thing you were ask by God to do this year but it has not been done?

2. How do you want your finances to look at the end of the year?

3. What about your marriage or single life?

4. What about exercising more?

 

Prayer: God as we prepare for the holiday season may we always remember to seek you for daily direction. Forgive us for straying and allowing "time stealers" to take presidency over your daily purpose. In Jesus name.....AMEN!