Time to Fish or Time to Wait?

Maggie shopping for a fish

Now that I have an adult son I think more carefully about the decisions I make, especially financial ones. What will my choices say to him? How will they impact the decisions he makes?

For instance, a video-creating site I wanted to join sent an email with a 20% off code last week. I'd wanted to get a membership, and knew they would probably offer a discount at some point. I was tempted to jump in and begin the membership right then, even though it was two days before I had the money on hand. What's a credit card for, right? And there's no interest due if paid the same month . . . .

And yet, if I set that precedent before my son, what will it create in his mind? An impetus to "get it now" that could lead to him becoming thousands of dollars in debt like the majority of Americans? At 18, he's already surrounded by people who haven't yet grown in wisdom. My example will either help nudge him towards wisdom or towards folly.

So I waited patiently--for two looooong days--and purchased the membership the old-fashioned way. The way that didn't involve the regret of "I just had to have it and didn't want to wait."

I doubt that he consciously noticed my choice, but I am setting the precedent, one decision at a time.

When True Life Begins

Minute Meditation

After the earthquake shook the foundations of the prison Paul and Silas were in, the jailer thought the prisoners had escaped. He prepared to commit suicide rather than face the death penalty such an occurrence would incur. In that instant the jailer thought his life was over--but true life was just about to begin for him, and for his family.


Acts 16:16-34

Note To Self

Note to Self No. 2274:

One should not attempt to can watermelon rind pickles when one is multi-tasking and caring for five children.

A number of difficulties may present themselves, including but not limited to the following--

Uncertainty as to how transparent the pickles should become while cooking. This may lead to cooking the syrup down to Karo syrup consistency, which doesn't leave enough liquid to actually can the pickles.

When looking for the pickling spices, one realizes they threw the bag away since it hadn't been used it in two years and one assumed they wouldn't make pickles again. This oversight leads to spending an hour and an exorbitant amount of money to find and purchase said pickling spices at a local grocery store.

Finding and accessing the canning supplies involves the Herculean feat of cleaning out the understairs closet so one can access them. The resulting mess can exacerbate ones' husband.

Once canning supplies have been unearthed, they require additional time to resterilize. By this time, additional syrup added to the pickles has helped thin the consistency, but the pickles are already candied and there isn't enough syrup to effectively can said pickles.

Write Direction: Blasting Through Uncertainty

Above: Crystal Cathedral and Prayer Spire
Below: Close up of Prayer Spire

What a relief it is to wrap up a pressing project!

At least, until you sit on the other side, with new options and opportunities spread out before you. What do you do? Which opportunity do you pursue?

Instead of inspiring you, the multitude of options stymies you. Overwhelmed, you spin your wheels in uncertainty and indecision. Although there may be time and opportunity, the motivation and direction are absent.

Have you ever faced this problem?

Just as Rome wasn't built in a day--the Crystal Cathedral either, for that matter--our direction and platform don't develop in a day. It is all a process, a glorious process. Laying the foundation requires the most time and provides the least visible results. But once that foundation is laid, the other pieces begin to meld together.

This begins with setting aside time to plan. To answer some questions. Who am I? What makes me tick? What do I want to accomplish? What specific steps must I take to get there? What order do I need to accomplish them in? Who do I need to corroborate with to help me accomplish my goal? What supplies do I need?

Even though we may not see the master plan, the Master Architect knows it by heart. If we take time to confer with Him at each stage of the project, He will provide direction and clarification. And day by day, step by step, an amazing structure will develop.


What about you? How do you find direction when it's time to refocus?

What Are You Looking At?

One morning I walked down to a dock along the Snake River. The path was paved and even, but I found myself looking down at the path ahead of me instead of looking at the scenery unfolded before me.

Sure, I live in rattlesnake country and a man had recently been bitten by a rattler he inadvertently grabbed hold of at the local Walmart's garden center. Sure, I was unfamiliar with the path and wanted to be certain of my footing.

But why? The paved path before me was clear and even. It was plain. Boring.

And when I eventually looked up to take in the beauty before me?

Stunning.

Glistening water, wild grasses, silvery green leaves, steep brown hills ascending from the river valley.

Why did I focus so long on that paved little path? The potential dangers were absent, and I had missed the splendor laid out before me.

Where is your vision focused right now? Downward, at the individual steps ahead? Or upward, at the vast scenery spread out before you?

If we turn our eyes upward and outward, we will more fully witness the greatness and beauty God has laid out for us to enjoy.

Mmmm, mmmm good!

A Writer Writes, Right?

Conversation with myself, moments ago:

I should write something.

Why’s that?

Writer’s group is tomorrow, and I haven’t written anything yet.

Okay. Go ahead.

I don’t wanna.

What? Why not?

I’m tired. And I’m not inspired.

So?

So . . . . it feels like a chore.

Oh. What are you gonna do?

Take a nap.

Really?

Maybe. I’ll have more energy.

Um, not necessarily. But you still won’t have anything to share with those WOW ladies of yours.

I know. Sigh.

Why don’t you work on your branding stuff?

I’m tired of that right now. It’s getting to the “decision-making-and-focused-writing” stage.

But that’s good, right?

Right. But I have to be inspired to do it.

Won’t inspiration come if you just dig in and start?

Probably.

Well then, go for it.

Maybe.

No, not maybe. Do it. Set the timer for 20 minutes and do whatever you can during that time.

Okay, you talked me into it.

Good. ‘Cause a writer writes, right?

Right. I’ll get my cup of coffee and set that timer.

                That’s my girl! On your mark, get set, GO!

The Fruit of God's Presence

Minute Meditation:

When the Ark of the Covenant was at Obed Edom's for three months, the LORD blessed him and his entire household (2 Sam. 6:11). May our lives be so filled with the Lord and His presence that others  can clearly see the fruit of His blessing in our lives. Mmmm, tasty!