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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: CALENDAR (10/20/16)
I had many childhood fantasies and one seemingly immaterial one was the aspiration to finish one grade and move onto the next. I remember reaching the end of sixth grade and I couldn’t wait to enter middle school.

Shortly after entering middle school, I set my sights on becoming a freshman. What seemed like milliseconds, I entered high school and was looking forward to getting my license. My eyes were fixed on the next milestone; becoming a senior. These meaningless childhood aspirations instilled in me the necessity to plan the details of my life.

Thankfully, in the midst of my desire to plan and move to the next stage in life, I found a church youth group and my world was forever changed. Church was the one place I could be me and I saw something in others I wanted. It didn’t take long to recognize what was missing in my life. God!

I was basking in my spiritual freedom and a desire grew to have a
home where God was the key focus. I was surrounded by Christians who gave me a glimpse of what that could look like. It was one of the first times in life I didn’t focus on the horizon. I was cherishing these precious moments and church became the one place I wish the world could’ve stood still. It didn’t.

As an adult, controlling my schedule became my way of feeling in control to find balance as a wife, mother, employee. My need to continually plan ahead limited me from enjoying the now, which may simply have been to take in the sights and smells around me. The problem was I couldn’t stop myself.

The Bible reveals how life passes like a shadow (Psalm 144:4) or as James puts it, we are a mist than quickly vanishes (James 4:14). Solomon’s wisdom was spot on, “Life is fleeting,” (in Ecclesiastes 1:2). It’s never more true than when I’m more focused on the future than what’s in front of me.

Life goals are important, scheduling is necessary, but I’ve learned that efficiency and effectiveness come from those periods in life where there is blank space on the calendar.

Over time I’ve learned that organization keeps one sane, but it can also make you ineffective and it increases stress. I once heard a working mother say she could have it all, just not all at once. Agree!

Over committing is too easy for me because planning has been an indicator of my success. Despite spending too many years trying to do it “all,” I’ve reached an age I hope I can offer wisdom as one who has gone before and can share what works and what doesn’t.

What works is giving God my schedule. There’s a time to relax and reflect and this has been something I’ve had to learn the hard way. God has been teaching me about the importance to simply ask Him what I’m to keep or remove from my agenda. I have to be willing to be a student of God on a daily basis.

“O God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still declare Your wondrous deeds,” (Psalm 71:17).

I’ve discovered the joy to delight in God alone and to not get ahead of Him, (Psalm 37:4-5). I simply pray, “what do you want me to do today, God?”

Some days God instructs me to sit in the park and pray. Other days to call a friend and discuss life over a cup of coffee. From it, I’m becoming more attuned to the moments when God says, “go pray with that woman.”

Giving God control of my schedule gives me a greater awareness to not miss what or who is in front of me. When I give God the tiniest details of my day, it’s amazing how the stresses of life diminish. It doesn’t come naturally for me, but this simple prayer is how God gently guides and reveals when I’ve done something I could’ve removed from my calendar.

When I commit my schedule to God, I have more time to invest in things that are of eternal worth. God wants me to have goals, but with balance. He wants to ensure that what I do not only brings Him glory, but brings eternal value to the kingdom of God. I can never go wrong doing things God’s way. God is my Teacher and He wants me to seize the day; today.
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This article has been read 678 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Chris Goglin
10/29/16
Thank you for your submission...I really enjoyed it! You explained how fleeting our days are, and how important it is to wisely plan for the future and listen to God's voice. To seize the day and as you put it so powerfully..." efficiency and effectiveness come from those periods in life where there is blank space on the calendar." Great job!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
10/29/16
This is a great message. You packed a lot in this piece. I can relate and often say we spend so much of our life wishing it away(I can't wait for summer. Oh I hate having to sit in a waiting room for too long. Why doesn't he hurry?). It's a valuable lesson. I could also relate to that feeling of wanting time to stop during Summer camp or religious retreats, but alas, I always had to return to the real world. My main red ink would be the number of times you used schedule (I think 4)and calendar (2). I think you could tighten that up a bit, which might leave you some more words. I liked the Bible verses you used. Your message is a timely one for sure. You definitely wrote on topic too.
Teresa Odden
10/29/16
Charlotte and Shann, thank you for taking time to read my article. The feedback is extremely helpful. You make good points to tighten up my writing. Thank you!
Jan Ackerson
11/01/16
You've touched on an issue that's very important to a lot of women, and I believe your words to be very wise.

I'd like to see this tightened up a bit--the introductory paragraphs about your childhood and youth could probably be trimmed in order to make room for a few anecdotes that are more relevant to your central message. Using more specific examples will make this more compelling for your reader.
Larry Whittington
11/03/16
The last two paragraphs says a mouthful

The Bible tells us what is wrong and what is right to do so it is always good never to plan on doing wrong but do we choose all the good we should be doing. Giving the choices to God will guide us in what we choose to do.

Thanks for writing.
Bea Edwards 
12/01/16
Wonderful devotional and reminder of the One who created and controls time.

Congratulations on your level win.