wAs we approach the holidays, I am sure many of our schedules are going to start feeling overwhelmed with all the "to do" lists. As some of you know, last fall I embarked on an adventure of getting my PhD and I am now in my second year (1/3 of the way done). I have had to reorganize my life and with that have come many changes in how I manage my time. Last week, I saw a new Doctor and he asked me how I am balancing my life going through a PhD program at this stage in my life. His question took me off guard, I stumbled for words and said something like "Well I still try to find time for lunch with a friend, I still spend time with my husband, and I use my drive time for connecting also.' This morning as I was reflecting in my quiet time, I started looking at all the SACRED MOMENTS that God has provided me with this last year. It adjusted my thinking and gave me some new thoughts to approaching this busy season of my life and I thought it was worth passing on to you during the approaching holiday season.
I started my PhD program off with creating a list of priorities for my life. The first part of this priority was believe that God had called me to this journey. So, my first question is...the journey you are on, is it one you feel called into. God calls us to different seasons of life to teach us and equip us for what He is planning. Stay-at-home mom's feel called to be the main source of input into their children's lives. Choir members at my church feel called to dedicate several hour a week to serving a team that leads it church in worship every week. I truly believe God provides time, where He has called.
Next, I asked my husband what was most important to him in how I dedicated time. We both knew that by my being in school, my time for other activities would be limited and we wanted to make sure it was being invested in what was important (knowing a lot of other important wouldn't be invested in). I still work 15 to 20 hours a week. I commute 8 hours a week. I am in class and school related meetings 10 hours a week. I easily have a minimum of 20 hours of homework each week. You add it up and there isn't much left. So, my next question is determine with those closest to you what is most valuable to them about how you spend time with them. We as a couple are important! We as grandparents are important! We have 8 and I make sure I am at their birthday parties and an occasional grandma and grandpa outing or sleepover.
Next, I considered my other relationships and how to prioritize them. I am a totally relational person and am blessed with SO MANY dear friends. I talked with them and let them know I would no longer be able to spend time as I had before. No more weekly lunches or monthly lunches, but I told them when I did have time I would see them. This was probably one of the biggest areas of sacrifice for me personally (and for my friends). As you journey into a season where life is more complicated make sure you are communicating with those closest to you and ask for their grace and understanding.
However, know that your priorities are going to called into question by others who may not know you as well or even those who do know you well. When your life shifts course, relationships and time change. There are going to be people in your life who don't know it shifted. There will be people in your life who think you are spending your time wrong. That is why it is so essential that you have prayed about where God wants you investing your time and talked with those closest to you about how to best maintain your relationship with time. When you hear of others complaints about how you are investing your time, you will either have to let them talk or decided to face it head on (or write a blog).
Once you have prioritized your life you will begin to see SACRED MOMENTS. Those priorities that you have created, become your moments of sacredness. When one of my grandchildren runs up to me with a big old bear hug and says "I love you", that is a sacred moment. When I have finish writing a paper or reading a project and I get to sit next to my hubby and chat, that is a sacred moment. When I have a moment to do something I really enjoy or being with someone I love, those are sacred moments. So during this holiday season, pray about what where God wants you investing time. Next talk with your spouse and those closes to you about what they consider as important investments in time. And then watch for all the SACRED MOMENTS God places before you!!!
