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Tuesday, November 27, 2007

In Other Words

Gratitude

"One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy."

~ Elisabeth Elliott ~

When I chose this wonderful quote by Elisabeth Elliott I wasn't even thinking about the upcoming holiday season. I just thought it is a great reminder to myself and I really wanted to share it with everyone. But, now I can see how timely it really is.

The past few days have been a wonderful change from the ordinary routine. I've, along with Chris, Caleb, and Eowyn, have been with at my Dad's house. We've eaten turkey way too many times through Thanksgiving dinner and numerous turkey sandwiches and we've enjoyed fellowship with the entire family. My sister and her family and my brother all came into town so we say Thanksgiving and celebrate an early Christmas together. It has been bliss.

But, last night I sat down and thought about all that is coming up in the next month. I have two MOPS meetings left in 2007 to set up for and attend/help run. I have a doctor's appointment. My brother is graduating from seminary with his Ph.D and that means a weekend trip to attend that. We might swing by some friends' house on our way home from that. And then we travel to Illinois (a good 18 hour trip one way) along with Chris' sister (20-something weeks pregnant) and her husband for Christmas on Chris' side of the family. Whoo! As I thought through our schedule I got overwhelmed and discouraged. How am I going to do all this? When will I keep up the house? When will I finish Christmas cards? When will I finish Christmas shopping? When will I bake? On and On my thoughts raced.

Soon after my time of worry and panic I sat down at the computer and reread this post. Sigh! How true it is! Why am I so "harried and hurried?" When I am worrying about tomorrow and making it my "business" I am not thinking about God and His goodness. I am not remembering that He will always provide not only in our physical needs but also in the proper ordering of our lives if we just let Him. I was not allowing Him to do that. I was trying to fit everything into my schedule and not-so-surprisingly nothing seemed to fit just right.

I have since submitted all the things to do to the Lord and I am at much greater peace. I know what I have to do tomorrow and where I need to go and that is all I am allowing myself to think about. God will take care of the following days as they come to me one by one. I will make my To-Do list each morning and pray that God will help me delete the things that can wait till another time. Of course, there are certain things I must prepare for now such as an upcoming trip but I know that I can prepare bit by bit on a daily basis instead of frantically when it is too late. When I plan this way there is no worry and much more security.

I pray that I will learn how to not do too much but to get what needs to be done when it needs to be done. One of my ultimate desires in managing my home is for my husband and child (and hopefully, children) to feel peace as they come home at night and as they play inside and out and I know a major factor of that peace is that Mommy is at peace with what she is doing. I know that if I can be at peace during these hectic holidays, I can be peaceful during other days.

I pray that everyone give their quickly-filling-up lists during this Christmas season to the Lord as well. I pray that all the things we are doing never blurs the TRUE reason we celebrating in the first place.

Please click through the Mister Linky below to hear what other thoughtful women thought about the quote.

Thank you "In Other Words" for allowing me to host this week. It has been fun! ;-)





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21 Readers Shared Their Love:

Tiffany said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog! You will have to send me your bread recipe, with a reminder of where you freeze it in the process. I love homemade bread--except for kneading--especially because it is a cheap way to get good bread without all the gunk that is in commercial bread.

This is a really great quote--I have felt like there are not enough hours in the day frequently (although not right now, since I'm not working at the mo). I have worked on changing the way I see things--how much can I do today? instead of I have too much to do! I've also been flying with FlyLady.com most of this year, and that helps me with the house and my projects!

Also, (bwhaha) if you are going to be around Raleigh, we would love to see you all if it fits in your schedule! Just a thought!

Diana said...

Thanks for the reminder that we all get too busy during the holiday season. My prayer this year is that I will be able to slow down long enough to remember why we celebrate Christmas!

Lori said...

Sarah, this is such a timely post. And it is so true it can overwhelm you when you begin to list everything that needs to be done, but we only need to be concerned about the present day. Making the First thing First this Christmas season is most important (may I not lose sight).

Blessings.

lori said...

I absolutely LOVE this quote...you will see that in my post:)

It is so timely and yet so important for everyday life...
living for HIM ♥, everyday!
I'm so glad that you chose this one!
peace,
lori☺

Anonymous said...

Sarah! Thanks for hosting and thanks for choosing this great quote. It really is a great time of year to consider this...
blessings on you.

Susan said...

Hi Sarah,

Thanks so much for hosting this. The timing could not have been any better as we begin the craziness of this most sacred season.

Blessings to you!

I pray you enjoy everymoment of all the activities you plan and have time also to reflect and give thanks...

Susan

Miriam Pauline said...

Great post for a great quote! Thank you! I am determined that my children will see a mother more at peace than harried (breaking a generational cycle here). Bless you.

Kris said...

Very timely quote, thank you for the reminder!

Heather said...

Sarah, I think this quote was perfect for this time of the year and so important for us to remember to keep balance in our busy world.

Delete said...

Sarah-Your choice of quotes was perfect for this week as we come down from the Thanksgiving rush and get ready to start the advent season this weekend. I really appreciate the reminder to slow down and celebrate the holiday God's way.

Blessings-
Jenny

Lisa said...

Sarah, I'm so glad you picked this quote. It is just perfect, and perfectly timed. I especially appreciate your comment, "I will make my To-Do list each morning and pray that God will help me delete the things that can wait till another time." Yes, that is exactly what we all need to do! Order our days, Lord, order our days!

Blessings, extravagantly!

Tami said...

I have to continually tell myself in busy times to keep breathing and more importantly, keep praying and seeking His peace. Thanks for hosting this week.

Unknown said...

YOu have quoted my favorite author! Soooooo good! This is my first time on "in other words". I enjoyed it!
God Bless!

Karen said...

Great reminder. Thanks for this week's quote as we head into what can be a very busy season.

Chocolate and Coffee said...

Sarah,

Great quote. Thanks for hosting this week.

Blessings to you!

Jennifer said...

What a wonderful and timely quote! Thanks for sharing. You are so right about the fact that *we* have to be at peace with what we are doing before we can create a peaceful home for our husband and children. God has really been convicting me of that lately.

Anonymous said...

Sarah, great quote and post. May you and your family truly feel the peace that passes all understanding this holiday season!

Anonymous said...

Great quote! Was in keeping with what I needed to hear and reflect this week!

In Him,
Terri Sue

Tea with Tiffany said...

Thank you for hosting and sharing your heart...

Anonymous said...

Sorry I'm late getting in on this one . . . . I actually started it on Tuesday morning, and here it is Thursday! I guess this was one of the things on my To Do list that had to take a back seat to a couple of other things that God thought were more important. Anyway, thanks for hosting and for the great quote. Elisabeth Eliot is an incredible woman and her wisdom has been an inspiration to me for many years. Thanks! Nina

Wendell said...

Great post, thankyou.