Last Friday morning I took a small retreat at Starbucks for a couple of hours. My friend Marie and her daughter Sarah came over to give me some much needed time to plan for the new season I am about to enter as a mom of 3 under four. I reread a book called "Shopping for Time" written by Carolyn Mahaney and her 3 daughters. Chapter 3 entitled "Sit and Plan" was very helpful in laying out a plan for the areas I need to be focusing on. The 3 priorities are #1 Growing in godliness, #2 Loving my family and #3 Fellowship with Christians.
The first priority is to continue to communion with God by having my devotions. It may look very different over the next couple of days, weeks, months but I want the time I do have however long or short it is to be as purposeful and planned in advance as possible. So Joshua and I have already picked out the books I will be studying during this time to refresh my soul and some specific spiritual disciplines to focus on such as prayer, meditating on scripture and worship songs that are full of sound doctrine and are gospel centered.
The second priority is my family. The 2 questions I ask myself every week for each member of my family is how can I serve them this week? And how can I surprise them this week? Some questions I will also be asking myself that came from the book are "What is the family relationship I need to give the most attention to?", How can I be more intentional in showing love to this person?", "Are there any deficiencies or challenges in our marriage?" etc. Carolyn wrote "Keeping it simple is the key" and I have already seen much fruit in the past 2 weeks since I have been purposeful in implementing this time into my schedule to sit and plan for the following week.
The third priority is fellowship with other believers. It has helped me to ask myself this question from the book " Is there a relationship I need to prioritize for the purpose of fellowship?" My time will be limited in this coming season so it has been helpful to plan for the relationships that I need to be investing in.
My hope is that through this transition time I would continue to grow in godliness, to love my family more deeply and treasure the friendships that God has placed before me as a means of grace in this season.
3 comments:
Oh Amanda, you never cease to amaze me! You are such an example to me and I continue to have much to learn from you! Your post has spurred me on to try to do some of the same things you are doing. Thank you, once again, for your example and Christ-centered life that you strive to lead! I love you dearly and am so thankful for your friendship and influence in my life.
So encouraged by how the Lord is meeting you in this season!! What a treat to spend time with you today!!!!
Amanda you are such a blessing. It sounds like this book is providing some very practical help to you. Perhaps I should take another look as well. You are such a wonderful mother and wife and friend. I miss you dearly. I can't wait to see you and meet little E when you get back. I hate that I wont be able to be there with you after the birth. I love you girl!
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