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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Sellout (05/26/11)
As I move through my life at the speed of light, I sometimes feel like I have missed something. And though I cannot at that moment put my finger on the reason, or the what, that feeling will stay lodged in the back of my mind and kind of ‘cook’ there for awhile.

You see, I have allowed ‘other’ things to take precedence in my daily activities. What I mean by that is, the demands of my ‘very demanding’ job, and the events that I must be a part of for my family members (who all just happen to live in other states!), and even the busy schedule of our church activities, tend to override the things that I know are most important.

How do you tell your boss that, NO, I can’t work tonight, or a grandchild that the trip you planned to visit her and do something special just doesn’t fit in right now? And heaven forbid if we turn down a request made by a church leader to take the reins of another important ministry event!

My poor husband is often the one who suffers most from my busyness. He sits there watching television, or reading the Bible and other Christian books, once in awhile casting a wary eye towards that other woman who now resides in our living room, sitting for hours in front of the computer. Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you… that woman is me!

I already spend a lot of time at the computer. I do the prayer chain for our church ladies via email, I am in constant contact with others via email, and of course there is Facebook and Twitter, and my blogs. I write articles and devotionals every day. Now I am adding to that time work I bring home daily, and on weekends. My hubby time is scrunched up. He has been a gem about it, but it has affected our marriage, in that we spend hours apart in the same room, not talking unless necessary. That’s not what we had envisioned when we married!

So, when I stop and take stock of all of this, I realize I have a very real dilemma that truly needs solving. I mean, I have always struggled to have my quiet time…now some days it is non-existent. Reading the Word has become a challenge for me. And I have so many books people have either given me as gifts or that they just want me to read! I have a whole library waiting for me, something I truly enjoy knowing I have, yet am desperate to find the time to use!

So what can I do? I can stop. Yes, that’s all, just stop; for just a little while, a bit less per day, per hour, per person. I can start to say no a little more often, nicely but firmly, and smile while I am doing it. I can ‘plan’ time for my hubby, my friends, my very dear family. I can ask God to grant me the time I need, the substance of character I need, to be in His presence, in His Word, in His very light.

I can see very clearly now that I put everything else in front of all that is really important. And that is My God, my family, my friends, my love of life and companionship. I was selling out to what I heard the world telling me: ‘Be successful! Be busy! Make something important of yourself!’ Hey, wait! I am already important! I am me, and God loves and values me. So do my family and my friends and my church. So why did I choose to listen to the world, of all things!

Because I am human,too, and satan has a way of whispering things in our ears that we really do want to hear. But those things should come from God’s mighty voice, not the enemies. And God has always said them, but we tend to sell out the good and right things in our lives to achieve what we think we need, and ignore the things that we know are what we really need, and what God has already provided for us.

So, I have already made the small changes that I hope will become the big changes. I am making time for God, for all the things He has for me. And now the ‘Dilemma’ is shrinking, and I am a better person for it.
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This article has been read 1014 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Bonnie Bowden 
06/02/11
The hardest word to say sometimes is No. I'm glad you (or the MC) is re-evaluating her priorities.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/02/11
This is a great message. I know so many people will relate to this.Although I understand it may be necessary, I hope writing isn't something you give up for too long!
Leola Ogle
06/06/11
I had to double check to make sure it was not ME that wrote this! LOL I used to find it so hard to say no and became exhausted and developed health issues from it. When my doctor told me to make some choices and give up some things, my response was "But I love everything I do!" But I did cut back. Your story is one that so many can relate to. Thanks for sharing! God bless!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/10/11
Congratulations for ranking 6th in level one!
Janice Cartwright
06/17/11
Your article is well written and in a personable style I find engaging. I recently (for the past 3 years) experienced the flip-side of your time dilemma- too much of it that is- due to a disability and enforced dwelling in the "Great Alone." Now that I am making my wobbly way back into a world populated with activity, when I feel a whine coming on I remember to thank Jesus for the plenty [of things I am now able to do that fill my time].