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Need a little help with time management?

I do…sometimes I feel instead of me managing time, time manages me, leaving me more ragged than Raggedy Ann.

But then other people are so the opposite. Let me tell you about my friend, Kimberly. This past week she got her house spic ‘n span for a ministry meeting, stopped by the grocery store for ingredients to prepare goodies for us guests, drove 20 minutes to pick me up, ran upstairs to grab one of the throw pillows from my guest room (which she’s helping me re-decorate—another one of her talents). Then she took me back to her house. And while setting up the table with fancy dips, fruit served with delicious goodies, she filled me in with details about the ministry. Then, with the poise that matched her delicate demeanor, she settled in to strum her guitar to sing a song she herself wrote. Ready for this? She accomplished all this before 9 in the morning.

How does she do it? Anyone out there have a hint of envy flickering like me? While she received her Masters in time management and her doctorate in organization, I’m struggling with: “What’s the next step 101.”

So what do we do? Comparing ourselves with others is often inevitable. Without wasting a minute, we gaze at our reflection in the mirror and, yuck--our flaws and shortcomings are magnified. Last time I did that, God tapped at my heart and seemed to say, “Hey chickadee, what about the gifts I gave you?”

He’s right. How could He be wrong? He did, in fact, given me abilities, talents, and skills—all gifts served on the platter of His grace. And discounting, disregarding, or diminishing their value can be the flaw of a lifetime.

Let’s see, a change of thinking fits right here. Admiring others’ qualities is a sign of security, but coveting what others possess is a sign of a foggy mirror. Here’s what a clear reflection paints for you and me: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well”
(Ps 139:16).

Wonderfully made? Doesn’t get better than that. And now, rather than work on time management, I’d manage to engrave in my heart that reminder of His workmanship, unique and valuable.

Janet

P.S. I’d love your comments, just send them to: Jeckles@cfl.rr.com.


Janet Perez Eckles
www.janetperezeckles.com

“Life is not about what you cannot do because of circumstances out of your control. Success comes when you recognize what you can do with what God has given you.”
Live in a hectic, hurried world? For my God-honoring, free inspirational newsletter, just send a blank email to: splash_of_inspiration@getresponse.com.

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