Sunday morning worship service starts with those precious minutes we use to group our thoughts as we prepare to accept the good news of Jesus Christ. How many of these moments do we take advantage of during the week?
I do manage to set aside a few minutes at the close of each day for daily prayers and reflections. During the day, however, I am non-stop. I have found the older I get, the more I have on my calendar. I was raised by a father that was always on the go – maintaining several jobs to care for his wife and five kids (but always available when we needed him). I get my “on-the-go” spirit from him. I can’t sit still. My mother has always made jokes about it.
Recently I was listening to a talk radio program and heard a guest speaker named Ann Kroeker. Kroeker was discussing her book “Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families”. I identified with so much of her conversation that I went out and bought her book.
Kroeker asks “Is every hour rush hour at your house?” Have we overloaded the kids with so many extra curriculum activities that they don’t have time to be kids? Rushing from one activity to the next limits our family time together, and limits our child’s creativity.
I think back to my childhood– we “camped” in the backyard, making tents out of old sheets and mixing tree bark, grass and rocks in an old pot over a pretend fire. We played dodge ball. We went sledding. Most of my childhood was spent outdoors (and I was raised in the city). We didn’t go inside until it was dinner time. We didn’t have Wii or Nintendo – how did we survive?
When was the last time you just sat and watched the sunrise or sunset? BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD Psalms 46:10. Kroeker asks “Can we recognize Jesus’ voice speaking to us when our heads are full of noise and our bodies are in motion? Can we hear Him when we haven’t taken the time and space to slow down and listen?”
The New Year is here. Instead of making the same old resolutions to “give up” something, let’s make a resolution to DO something. DO sit and stare out the window and watch the snow gently falling on the grass. DO watch the sunset with a loved one. DO make snow angels with the kids. DO let the kids make breakfast for the family (and DO enjoy the mess). These moments are special treasures – gifts from GOD. Find your center and purpose around God’s gifts.
“Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families” by Ann Kroeker is a great tool for “centering” your life around Jesus Christ.
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Well, it's hard to believe that this passage speaks to me even though it was posted one year ago! I would be interested in looking at Kroeker's book as a bible study. Although women probably feel the greatest pressures of time, it might also be applicable to men as well...even if they don't know that it just might help them, too!
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