Five Minute Friday: Ten
It’s time for Five Minute Friday!
With a busy summer schedule, I’m grateful for the opportunity to laser-focus on a topic for a brief moment, and then share something poignant that God is doing in my life.
I’m especially thankful for today’s prompt, as it caused me to bring my own focus back to where it needs to be.
Today’s prompt: Ten
Our summer has been full! Although we’ve had some unpleasant surprises, most of it has been fun. My kids were ministry focused for four weeks. When they weren’t doing that, we picked blueberries, saw some downtown murals, went to the beach, visited grandparents, and hung out away too long at the Drivers License office.
As a final good-bye to lazy days, next week we are going to wander through the tunnels in downtown Houston, and check out an unusual sno-cone place, called Brain Freeze, where the smoothies they serve look like they are on steroids! (One daughter has already been!)
A few days later, my girls will be in full-swing with summer band. The first football game is in one month, and Homecoming is early this year–only one month after that! The upcoming season promises to be busier than ever.
When I sat down with the number 10, the Lord gave me 10:10.
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10)
Earlier in the chapter, Jesus describes the loving, caring relationship a shepherd has with his sheep. Then He contrasts that with the devil’s plans for destruction. He’ll do anything he can to separate a sheep from his shepherd. One of his best devices? A busy schedule.
A busy schedule isn’t a bad thing. It’s part of what makes my life rich! What keeps it from being satisfying is when I don’t put the Lord at the top of my schedule–coming to the well of God’s Word and drinking deeply–satisfying my thirst for Him before heading out into the fray.
This summer it’s been like this:
2 weeks on … Ahhh, delight! 5 days off … Getting cranky!
3 days on … Light! 7 days off … Ugh.
5 days on … Why do I ever miss this? 4 days off … Impatience sets in.
And so it goes …
I think that’s pretty normal for most folks, but I’ll be ready for the routine that the school year brings. Honestly, I can’t say every morning that I have a quiet time, I handle the bumps in the day (or the bumps 10 minutes after I get up from my chair!!) with love and grace. Some days are just, plain tough. Ask my kids. They’ll concur.
But I can say that the time I spend alone with the Lord feeds my soul. Repeated mornings of time alone with the Lord make all the difference in my overall outlook.
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. (Mark 1:35)
sounds like a nice summer.
Good morning sweet Di.
It is easy to identify with the full schedule and long lists that seem to never get completely done and they just keep growing. As it should be. One good thing about being busy and having lists of to do things, is that I can put on the list such things as ; “take a break”, have a hot cup of cocoa, give Nelda a long hug, and get one from Nelda, Ben, John, and you!
rest of the body and the mind are part of the doctors prescription for body and mental health so our gift from God( this marvelous body and mind) will work more effeciently and last longe.
Love and hugs to all in the family
Dad
Thank you for sharing this Dianne. I like the NLT of John 10:10. These truths you shared are very important: “What keeps it (life) from being satisfying is when I don’t put the Lord at the top of my schedule–coming to the well of God’s Word and drinking deeply–satisfying my thirst for Him before heading out into the fray.” Yes. It is so necessary to follow Jesus’ example in getting alone with Heavenly Father. 🙂 God continue to bless you richly!