Managing Your Time: You and God, You and Others, You and Your Kids (Paperback)

Chapter One

For You Alone

Complete the following statements. Try not to analyze them too much. Just respond honestly with the first thoughts that come to mind.

1. When unexpected events force me to change my plans at the last minute, my first response is usually

______________________________________________________ .

2. If I had a quiet hour at home alone and a neighbor I didn't know well knocked on the door, I would probably

______________________________________________________ .

3. When I feel overwhelmed by the amount of work I must accomplish in a day, I usually

______________________________________________________ .

4. When my children or spouse develop needs that could have been avoided with a little advance planning, I

______________________________________________________ .

5. When I say no to a request to take on a project or responsibility because it doesn't seem to be a wise use of my time, I usually feel

______________________________________________________ .

6. When I say yes to a request to take on a project or responsibility in spite of not really wanting to, I usually feel

______________________________________________________ .

7. When a free hour comes up and I decide to spend it on myself with some indulgence or pampering, I feel

______________________________________________________ .

8. It is hardest for me to focus on the task at hand when

______________________________________________________ .

Moms can relate to what Jesus said: "Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34). They often find their hearts bogged down in the swamp of busy days. Guilt, stress, or annoyance are only a few of the emotions that muck up their responses to events like the ones described in the statements above. Yet the heart's desire of most moms is to move gracefully through life as women of God. When they don't, they worry. Inadequacy, failure, and frustration seem more powerful than grace, and they spend their precious days wishing they were better than they are.

But guess what: God's grace is more powerful than your inadequacy, and he wants you to spend the time he has given you on fruitful thoughts and tasks. Each day provides opportunity to become better than you are, but right now you are as good as he needs you to be.

When the "musts" and "shoulds" of life threaten to drown you in Swamp Too-Busy-Days, how can you learn to think differently, to begin to subject these deceptive obligations to the rule of Jesus Christ? Over the course of the next six sessions, tell your guilt and frustration to take a hike, and then get ready for a fresh look at managing your time.

For You and God's Word

The demands on your time often arise out of your commitments to good things-your family, your ministry, your career, your passions and gifts. The Bible proclaims, "Every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17). Of course, not all perfect gifts are maintenance-free.

1. What gifts has God given to you that require a commitment of your time? List three that are especially important to you.

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

2. Do these gifts primarily bring you stress or joy? Why do you think that is?

3. On a scale from 1 (always) to 10 (never), rank the following statements:

_____ I look at my to-do list each day with a sense of joy and anticipation.

_____ I look at my to-do list each day with a sense of dread and obligation.

_____ I worry about getting everything done that I need to get done.

_____ I enjoy the gifts God has placed in my life.

_____ I am content with my present commitments and circumstances.

_____ I get angry when things I must do crowd out time for things I want to do.

_____ I worry about the future.

_____ I feel guilty or inadequate whenever I don't have time for things I think are important.

_____ I go to sleep at the end of the day content with how I've spent my time.

Read Ecclesiastes 5:18-20. Write down the verses in the space below. (Writing out a verse often makes you more in tune to its truths than simply reading it.)

___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

4. List three truths you can find in these verses and personalize them. For example, "The joy I derive from my work comes from God alone."

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

5. What emotions occupy the majority of your thoughts over the course of a busy day?

6. Do the truths you listed above affirm these emotions or contradict them?

Read what the apostle Peter wrote to believers scattered throughout first-century Asia Minor: "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

7. What strategies might your enemy use to devour you before you can seize the joy God offers? Identify the factors most often responsible for robbing you of joy.

(Continues...)