Enough Time

It seems so amazing that every person we know 

can be busy all the time.

It's just how it is.

There's no time for this and no time for that.

The number one reason for not doing any given task is,

"I don't have enough time."

"There's not enough time" is a cliche in its own right.

I would like to share a little phrase that has helped me tremendously.

We always seem to have one or two larger projects and

several smaller projects going on around here.

When life throws a monkey wrench in the works,

it can get a little interesting, exciting, let's be honest - chaotic.

I know we are no different than many others as far as this goes.

It can get more than a little overwhelming for someone (me)

who likes order.

The phrase I learned?

"I have just enough time to. . . "

That's it.

It turns your brain around.

The brain is amazing.

It will jump ahead and fill in the blank.

So if you are thinking, "I don't have time to. . .,"

your brain will barrage you with the never-ending list of huge tasks

that take long hours to complete.

Likewise, if you say, "I have just enough time to. . .,"

your brain will also fill in the blank.

I have just enough time to  - get the coffee ready for morning,

just enough time to fold the towels,

just enough time to read my daily devotional,

just enough time to bring in some wood for later.

Whatever it is, it helps.

It's one more thing done or moment spent in a valuable way.

All those little 2-3 minute tasks make a huge difference

in the functionality of the home.

                             

And one more thing about it~

I typically work well off a list, but sometimes 

the bigger efforts are difficult to break down into a doable sequence.

This little phrase seems to help in that area as well.

I have just enough time to - measure that board,

time to gather the tools/supplies, etc

Good job brain!

(I need to encourage the poor little thing so it won't quit on me.)

Maybe give it a try and see what you think.

Are You Running Yourself Ragged?

Imagine if you will for a moment a piece of cloth

woven with warp and weft.

Now carefully pick one thread from anywhere on the cloth

and give it a gentle tug.

You can make an unsightly loop or even pull 

the thread entirely from the cloth.

If you were to pick threads randomly from both sides wither and tither, 

you would end up with a pretty tattered and ratty

looking piece of cloth.

The cloth in this scenario is of course, our heart and soul,

our character, our physique, and our being.

Every person we encounter, task we tend to, errand we run, 

and decision we make are all tugs at the fabric of who we are.

Obviously some are menial and with a rub of the thumb

can be smoothed back into place.

Others require a bit more effort to work back into that even weave.

And yet others, well, we might just need a new thread

and our darning needle to repair.

Like anything, it's better to keep at things before they get to that point.

But it can be difficult.

We have demands being made of us at a rather alarming rate

if you think about it, and we don't even realize it.

In addition to the big ones: get to work on time, perform said duties,

kids to school, etc. there are thousands of others.

Car- fill me with gas or I won't run.

Phone- answer me or I'll keep ringing.

Critters and garden- water (feed) me or I'll die and won't feed you.

grocery clerk- pay me or you can't have your items.

Most of these are just understood, but they are still a tug.

They are not necessarily bad or harmful, but when too many 

rain upon us at once, we can be left

'hanging on by a thread.'

Equally important is the fact that we need time to be alone with ourselves

and keep our souls smooth.

There are times when we don't want to go anywhere or talk to anyone.

Time alone at home talking and listening to God and just being

seems necessary.

I think He made the seasons the way they are for a reason.

Just about the time we have run ourselves ragged,

the days start getting a little shorter and

the nights longer and colder.

It seems to go against mainstream society,

but He is almost pushing us back inside come evening-time saying,

"Rest up."

Like most children, we don't always listen as we should.

If this is where you are,

I would like this post to serve as that gentle voice that says,

"It's okay.  Take a breath."

Take a few moments to smooth out those little loops and

remember winter will be here soon, and we'll have more time

to spend with that darning needle.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches