Woman, Wife, Mother
The organization posts will pick back up tomorrow. For now, let’s think on this. 
(photo from lifehack.com)
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
This says a lot…
Let’s take some time to think on it…
Yesterday we discussed the idea of organization. We looked at getting it together.
We all need to be organized, right?!
But have you ever asked why?
Why would anyone want to take the time out of their lives to organize and plan, when they could be doing something…productive?
Well, I am going to give you 5 reasons why you should be organized.
1. Clear your head
Living life in today’s world, we find ourselves overwhelmed with a vast amount of things to do. We are wondering what we have already done. We are asking questions about budgets, schedules, the kids, our spouses, our dreams, hopes, and aspirations. If you add in the books we want to read, the products we want to try, the trips we want to take, and the chores to get done, our heads are full.
Now don’t get me wrong, we don’t want an empty head with no knowledge, but we, also, don’t want a cluttered head either.
All of those thoughts need to be written down some where so that we don’t feel we have to have the lists stapled on the walls of our brains.
2. Have Less Stress
By clearing our heads of all the clutter, we begin to free up space in our minds to have a systematic way of thinking. The structure that we implement will not only be evident in how we organize, but we will begin to live life in an ordered fashion as well.
Yes! I am talking about organized living.
Our brains like order. The more we create a pattern or organize a thing, the more our neurons travel across the synapse in our brain. The more a synapse is used, it sticks around and forms a permanent bridge within our minds. To make it clear, what we use we keep. What we don’t use, we lose. These bridges start off as thoughts, but can also form actions and habits. As we grow and learn, like in organization, we become more stable. The more stable we are, the less stress as we have more experiences.
This will give our brains a sense of relief. Knowing where things are, what’s coming up, and what you want to do, allows your mind the freedom to focus on things that you find more important. It also provides a stable environment for your continued growth and development.
3. Process Your Thoughts (Discussing your thoughts with you)
The Bible tells us tells us to meditate on the Word of God.
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
~Joshua 1:8
That word meditate does not just mean to sit and think. It also means to have a conversation with ourselves about what the Word says.
Well, I apply this same meditation meaning to organization.
We need to ponder, think, and discuss, our list of to-do’s and must have’s, with ourselves and God. By discussing it, we are actually thinking through it and processing it more than we realize.
4. Keeping Track
By staying organized, we offer ourselves the opportunity of tracking our progress. It feels good to look back and see how far you have come from where you were…and if you didn’t move, you can find a way to motivate yourself to get going.
Keeping track and being organized will motivate you to move forward in your goals, relationships, personal and professional endeavors.
I even track my hobbies…I must admit, it becomes fun. 🙂
5. Get Rid of Forgetfulness
I’m not sure if you are anything like me, but I used to forget a lot. I would remember an event, but forget the date and time. I would remember the date, but forget the time. When I got to my lowest point, I had arrived to a party and it was over…that was when I said, I have to do something about this. I meant well, but I wasn’t organized,
When you are organized, you don’t put the pressure on yourself of having to remember everything. Your planner and organization helps you with all of that. It is almost like you create your own personal assistant.
Don’t believe me? If you continue to walk with me throughout this week, you’ll see that you can do this…and it’s not as hard as you would think it is.
Let’s Recap
There are 5 reasons why you should be organized.
1. Clear Your Head
2. Have Less Stress
3. Process Your Thoughts
4. Keep Track
5. Get Rid of Forgetfulness
I hope you found this helpful.
Wait! Don’t leave…I have something for you to do…
Your assignment is to…
First: Think of the reasons why you should be organized. Write them down.
Second: Do you have any objections? Write those down too.
Third: Do you think you will struggle with being organized? If so, in what ways?…you’ve guessed it…write those down also.
Fourth: Pray, out loud for God’s direction.
Finally, Rest In Him.
Join me tomorrow as we take our next step in getting it together.
Well, today is Monday, and you know what that means…
It means, more to do, places to go, people to see, and so much more…
Even if you are stuck in the house on a Monday, there is a lot going on in your mind…
I say this, because I know.
I used to have headaches because I had so much to do or that I wanted to do.
I was thinking about so much stuff, that my brain was cluttered with all of my todo’s.
Then I read
Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
I had so much going on in my mind…I longed for peace. I wanted to trust God. I wanted to submit to Him. I wanted to all that He had to offer, but I could not figure out where to start.
I’ve been a writer all of my life. Since I was in kindergarten, I’ve written things down.
Yet at this point in my life, when I was so frustrated and confused, I had stopped doing what I loved.
I wrote when I had to, but when I needed and wanted to, I just wouldn’t.
After reading these scriptures and asking God to help me, I began to desire to get organized. I looked high and low for the answers…not knowing what to do, I started writing again. Not stories or anything, just lists.
I made so many lists…looking back, I laugh now, but making those lists, began to empty out my brain.
The more I wrote down my ‘to do’s’ the more I felt relief. I would write my list and ask God to help me accomplish what He had for me.
Shortly after my season of lists, I came across the Franklin Covey planner.
I followed the steps outlined in the starter pack and before I knew it, I was getting it together.
I had a purpose and mission statement. I had life goals and my mind felt free.
Now, here I am today…I use my planner, lists, and I’m pretty organized…although the we could all use some improvement…I’m happy with my organizational skills.
I’ve had a lot of women, over the past few months, tell me that they are not organized and wished that they were.
Let me say this…You can be free too! You can be organized! You can get it together!
For the rest of this week, I will be posting tips on how you can get it together, by organizing your mind and life…Your assignment for today is to read over the scriptures that I mentioned above.
Proverbs 3:5,6
Philippians 4:6
Proverbs 16:9
After you have read these scriptures, write out what each one makes you think of. Write the directions that God is giving you through each scripture
Pray, out loud, that God would help you do His will, trust Him, and hear Him, as you take this journey.
Finally…Rest in Him
Join me here tomorrow, as I offer you the tools and tips needed to get it together…
We all have these days…
You know them…
Days where it’s hard to move forward…
Hard to smile…
Hard to function…
Not because of the weather, or something that just happened, but because something is bothering you…
Something is causing you to be emotional…
Something that makes you want to quit…
To say, “I’m done.”
It makes you vulnerable and turns everything else into a big deal too…
Capable of snapping on someone…
You hold back…
Shut down…
Pull back the tears…
And run inside where no one but God can see you…
And while there…you say…
“God why?!”
Everyone around you thinks they know, but they have no clue…
If you are like me, you realize…
THIS IS OVERWHELMING!!!
STOP!!! STOP RIGHT THERE!!!
What is the problem? Who is the problem? Why is there a problem? Why such great turmoil, pain, agony…Why?
We don’t wrestle against flesh and blood…No
We wrestle against the principalities in this life, against rulers, against the powers, against the world forces in this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places… That’s what Ephesians 6:12, 13 says.
They make themselves known and affect us by whispering things in our ears, throwing destructive darts at our minds, and aiming their blows at our hearts…
But we have a choice…
Say this with me…
OVERWHELMED!!! YES, I AM OVERWHELMED!!!!
I am overwhelmed with emotions, but I will decide why I am overwhelmed… and it is not because of what these forces have to dish out against me…
NO!!!
I am overwhelmed because I serve a great God that is more than able to take care of me and everything that attempts to overwhelm me.
I am overwhelmed because of His great salvation. I am overwhelmed because of His love. I am overwhelmed because of His heart for me.
I am overwhelmed because of His power and His might…
I am overwhelmed because in the midst of my emotions, He makes Himself known…through the trees, the wind…
Through the birds…
Through the color of everything around me…
He whispers in my heart…
FEAR NOT!!! I AM HERE AND I HAVE ALREADY OVERCOME THEM!!! HAVE COURAGE AND HOLD ON TO ME…I AM HERE AND I’VE GOT THIS…
You just don’t know how completely overwhelmed I am right now…
I can feel His love…can you?
In the mist of my brokenness…in the midst of my ache…I know He is all-powerful.
My husband said “Don’t let anyone mess up your day! Have a good one…”
That was God, speaking through Him…
The “let” in his statement said “take authority…don’t let it have power over you…put on the armor of God and stand”
Today, I stand on my knees…worshiping HIM.
I will choose what overwhelms me. It will not be the cares of this life, or the problems…or the people…It will be God! He will overwhelm me…
Have you ever felt overwhelmed?
How do you handle it?
Are you able to take control of your emotions and focus on Him?
Try it! Next time let Him overwhelm you…it may take a minute, but whisper “God help me to be overwhelmed by you.” and I promise you will experience a great and powerful overwhelming that you will yearn for again…
Watch these two videos…
Today, I am going to share something with you…
Something very dear to my heart…
I’m a little nervous about sharing it because I think I hold back a little here, on this blog, but I think it’s time to give it my all…
Not only that, but I am following God’s lead here. I believe that this is something that He wants me to share, so I will go where He takes me…
I was born a dreamer…
That’s right, a visionary…
I’d have dreams and visions, I still do…
If you need someone too believe in you, I am your gal. I can see it! I believe that there is no dream too big because we have a great God.
And if you have read my blog before you know that my favorite Scripture is Romans 10:11. It says that no one who puts their faith in God will ever be put to shame.
Now while we are talking big, there are dreams that I’ve had for myself, as well. They are beautiful dreams that I have had hidden in my heart for a very long time. Yet there is something that, if you don’t know, I am going to tell you, must happen…a process.
As a dreamer, I didn’t know, nor was I taught that the dream didn’t just come to pass as quickly as it was tucked away in my heart. Yet as I have lived this life and walked with God, He has shown me the truth in His Word.
Eccl 3:1-8 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
I’ve experienced different seasons in my life. There was a time for fun; a time for preparation; a time to learn, a time for sacrifice; a time for laughter, a time for weeping…boy did I weep?! I thoroughly remember the time when I had to learn to be resilient.
During these times, I didn’t know what to call them.
Why am I telling you this?
Well, not knowing what to call these times or truly understanding them…I pushed against the things that were happening. My heart was breaking. I wondered why, when, and how long…I lost sight of the dream. I thought, for a split moment, that God had changed His mind about me and the plans He had for me.
Yet I was always reminded of Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
One translation says, “to give you hope and a future.”
During these times, I needed to be reminded of God’s faithfulness…to His people…to His Word…to me…
Because He was and always is faithful…
So now here I am. I stand as a different woman, years later. I’ve had a few opportunities come knocking at my door and they have looked really good, but…it’s not time for them. It’s time for patience. It’s time to wait on God to do what only He can. While I wait on Him, I will live this life as a wife, woman, and mother…a friend, teacher, confidante, a servant to all who God leads me to…I will continue to focus on the things that are important…
That means I’ve had to say no…a few times…and wonder if I made the right decision.
But I thank God for the Holy Spirit. He always reminds of what God’s Word says.
In this time of patience, I have to remember
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
I’ll keep dreaming, planning, hoping, believing…and most of all waiting on Him patiently.
Today I want to give you an assignment. Once you do it, you can Tweet me, Instagram, Facebook, email me, or comment below…whichever you choose. Just as long as you do it.
The first thing is for you to think and pray about the season that you are in.
The second is to give it a name.
Third, find a scripture that helps you in this season. It should be something for you to stand on while you are here.
Then let me know, so that I can be praying for and with you. Let me know so that I can encourage you. Let me know because it’s nice to connect with others who are identifying where they are and walking in that place. (Use the hashtag #seasonof(__________) You fill in the blank.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Please watch this video.
On days like this, I just want to sit on the couch with a hot cup of tea while reading a great book…
That’s what I want to do, but let me assure you, that is not what’s about to happen.
You know what days I’m talking about…
All night, I heard the sound of rain…and crickets.
When I got up this morning, my house was cold, which delayed my movement from under the blankets…
My children were all snug in their beds, hoping that it was a Saturday…
To our dismay, it’s Tuesday and no matter how much we wanted to sleep in…we had to get up.
So what do you do on a day like this?
What do you do when you look out the window and all you see is the earth looking gloomy, as if it is national drink a cup of tea and read a good book day?
I don’t dare to say that I have all of the answers, but you could try what I did.
I found a beautiful spot on this earth and I looked at it in a different light.
I found a bright area and I focused on the beautiful things…the flowers, the cup, my pjs, and my old pink Bible…
Then I just sat…
I sat and took in the fresh air…
I smelled the rain in all of it’s freshness…
I asked God to bless my day and lead me to accomplish all that He has for me…
Most of all, I wrapped my mind around goals…tasks…all of my required duties…
When I was finished, I felt great…
I felt ready…
I am so happy that I found the beauty in it all…
I am thankful for days like this…
They remind me that we all need to be refreshed…
We all need to slow down and take in our surroundings…
We all need to breathe…
How do you handle days like this? I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment below…
Thanks for reading
If you are anything like me, when Friday comes around, you are thinking back on all of the things that you accomplished during the week.
You may even be thinking of the things that you didn’t get done.
That’s me…
I’m normally looking at my to-do list.
I start listing the millions of things that I could do today because it’s the end of the week and I had a goal in mind.
Then, I am hit with something…it happens each and every time.
YOU CAN’T DO EVERYTHING, ALL AT ONCE, ALL OF THE TIME!
Suddenly, I am hit with this reality and I’m stuck.
“What?! I had so much to get done. I can do some of it…”
The truth is that I can’t and neither can you…
“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9
No matter how much we plan on doing, there are just some things that God never intended for us to do.
I don’t know about you, but I find that refreshing.
I can make as many plans as I want, but God has orchestrated my life. He has already set aside those things that I will accomplish. Not only has He set those things aside, but He is there with me in that moment to help me accomplish them. All of the things that I’ve been planning are preparation for, in my mind… It is my participation in the process, but my extreme standard or all work and no play, is not THE standard.
So the to-do list can continue to grow, but I am happy that God has set aside the things that He wants me to accomplish and I’m sure that I will get those things done in the near future…
Until then I will just breathe…
