Important or Urgent

“Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important.^“

Charles Hummel

I struggle with this more often than I'd like to admit.

The urgent things...

~ hungry tummies,

~ piles of laundry

~ dirty dishes

~ bills to pay

~ dentist appointments,

~ doctor appointments,

~ desperately needed trips to Costco {which isn't close - living in the country has its blessings -- the solitude, the quiet, the beauty -- but it means everything is far away. There is no such thing as a quick errand}

~ all the extra details for Christmas.

Some of the urgent things I can delegate to the children, which is good training for them practically and spiritually, but other things I must do. Because it is easy to get a sense of satisfaction from things crossed off a list, I often fall into the focusing on the urgent things.

The important things...

~ reading to my little ones

~ training their character by balancing free time with constructive learning

~ spending time with them doing the things they like to do

~ letting them help in the kitchen - even though it means a longer clean up time for me

~ doing things that create unforgettable memories for them - walks in the woods, sleeping out under the stars...

~ praying with them and teaching them how to pray

~ helping them to see the love of the Savior

Sometimes I am just too practical. Sometimes I am just too selfish because I know the extra work that will be involved. Sometimes I give in to the exhaustion I feel at the end of day. But what am I? I am a wife, I am a mother, I am a homemaker. I want to joyfully serve my family and make our home a haven where they are nurtured, and encouraged, and loved.

I have to remind myself of priorities and reset them aright.

God

Husband

Children

Home

Others

When I spend the early morning hours, while the children still sleep, in the Word and prayer, I always feel a peace and joy that can not be gained any other way. It is there that I find the direction I need in my God-given role as wife and mother. It is there that God directs me in how to set my day in order. It is there that I am reminded of what is important.

I want to live intentionally, not by default. I hate when I fall into the trap of "the tyranny of the urgent taking over the important". It just feels all flip-flopped and out of control.

Sometimes the days feel long, but I know that time is short. I want to make it count.

Teaching is intentional - the basics like school subjects, but also practical skills too. It's also unintentional, by that I mean, my kids learn by watching me. What do they see?
I want them to see a woman who is passionate about loving God. That I am characterized by having a tender word spoken in right circumstance because I am filled with the Word, that I am faithful in prayer and that they would be comforted by the thought that I regularly lift them up to the throne of Grace. I want them to think I am fun, that I am joyful, that I am thankful, that I am focused and present when I am with them.

I am thankful for the holiday from homeschooling, which affords a bit more time to ponder, and to play.