Organization 101

If you were to step into my house right this minute, you'd see the following things:

The refrigerator would be covered with lists. Snack list, sharing list, phone list, to do list, shopping list, weekly list, progress chart including a list of things for Cody like "practice violin" "memorize Awana verse" "help with dishes" "help pick up toys" and "feed Ozzie."

The desk in our office is covered with lists...weekly to do list, just updated today, a pile of things to go through, a list of women from my moms in touch group and a list of things I want to share with them in my next email, and my beloved Franklin Covey planner without whom I'd be lost.

In my living room, right by the front door, is a wall organizer with hooks for keys and pockets for mail and such. I keep coupons there and bills to be paid, gift cards we can still use, and other items. There's also a basket a.k.a. "catch all" for more mail, keys, phones, cameras, ipods and anything else that needs a "home."

And as I sit here thinking about it all, I wonder, are my priorities in check? When I make these lists do they reflect who I am serving? What is important today and for WHOM am I doing it?

Am I serving God or man? Am I serving my family or am I catering more to the needs of those outside these walls than the ones right inside them?

And it got me thinking about something I wanted to share with any busy, frazzled moms out there. And please don't feel judged, because seriously, I'm preaching to myself right here because I simply need the reminder.

Here's the deal. There are so many things out there for us to do that are good things. They might even be selfless acts of kindness or ways you might be serving another with your time, talent, and energy. But I must challenge you. Are you putting what should be first....FIRST? Are you prioritizing well? Are you taking care of another while the laundry at your house and dishes in the sink are piling up? Are you running so much that your little ones aren't getting quality naps, just ones in the car? Sorry, those don't count! When you walk in the door, are you frazzled, so much in fact that it's just easier to go get fast food for your family instead of making them a healthy meal at home? I'm not saying you can't be available to help others, but do you have balance about it?

Again, this is about ME but I am sharing it because I hear you all talk about this stuff all the time. And we all know it leads to BURN-OUT. DEFEAT. FEELINGS OF FAILURE. This is not what God wants for us...this much I know! Can I get an "AMEN?!"

Let me encourage you: A very wise woman at my church (and my mother on more than one occasion) said to me, "Loved one, there are so many good and noble things for you to do out there! It's wonderful that you are wanting to do those things. But this is not your time. This is not your season! Before you choose to engage in that thing...that activity that would just be "so good" for someone else, ask God if it's what HE would consider best. If it takes you away from your family for a significant amount of time, it's not best. If it means you aren't accomplishing much on the home front, but are out there serving everyone else, then it's NOT best.

Now is the time, here at the beginning of the school year to really be mindful of our priorities, myself included. It's not that we can't help others. But this is a season of life that calls us home. And oh what a precious home it is when mama's happy, "cuz when mama aint happy..."

Say it girls.