Other than taking time for the Lord on a daily basis and learning to abide in Him, what else is important?
As promised, here’s my list:
1. Time for my family: Yes, I homeschool, and yes, my kids are with me 24/7. So how much more time do I want with them? Well, I want to relate to them outside of school—to have fun times with them, to make memories, to enjoy them way from the stresses that come with homeschooling. So we go on dates, have a movie afternoon, include some fun in our school day and week on a regular basis.
It’s important that my husband and I schedule regular time for each other—to chat, to hang out, with and without the kids. We’re not talking about expensive dates, but a few minutes a day to talk and to pray, so we can feel like we’re a part of each others’ lives.
2. Time for others: Taking time to spend with others—not just social time, but time to reach out. To help someone in need—that phone call, writing a note or sending off an e-mail, cooking an extra meal. Jesus calls us to be His hands and feet in a busy world. I need to come out of my little world to spend time in His service to others.
3. Time to work through problems: School schedules sometimes enslave me. I try to get everything done on time, so we can be prompt for extra-curricular actives. But I feel pressured and frustrated especially when we have a “block” in a particular subject. I’m learning to leave some leeway in our schedules, so we can take all the time we need to work though problems. After all, flexibility is one of the blessings of homeschooling.
4. Time for myself: As homeschool moms we keep a hectic pace of life—home, school, church activities, social time for kids, the list is endless. In all of it, we are spread thin. It’s important to take time to refresh ourselves spiritually and physically. Burn –out doesn’t occur overnight. Even though I feel selfish to take a few minutes a week to engage in an activity I enjoy, I find I need to. It refreshes me, and helps me better serve my family.
It’s not easy to lower expectations, and reprioritize. I was surprised that most of my list focused on the intangible--on a precious, but seemingly hard-to-come-by commodity in this day and age–time. But I’m finding that when I seek Him His plans and purposes above all else, He shines His light on each step of the path I must take. As I allow Him to search my heart, He shows me what needs to be aligned to His will. In the light of eternity, what really matters?
So what’s important to you? How do you plan and prioritize?
