Background

Monday, February 20, 2012

"A woman's got to know her limitations" #1: Rocks in a Jar

"A woman's got to know her limitations" is a series I'm starting.  Do I sound like Clint Eastwood?  I hope not.  Anyway, I've been thinking about constraints for several weeks, and decided to comment on the current limits in my life.

Limitation #1: TIME

To quote Jim Croce..."If I could put time in a bottle..." well, more of that later, but right now I just want to put some of our Moonstone Beach rocks in a jar...

Empty jar and collected stones

They don't fit...RATS!

OK...let's get organized.

SUCCESS!
"What's my secret?" you ask?
You must load the jar in descending order.  If you start with the small pebbles there will inevitably be no room for the larger stones.  First load the big ones then finish with the little ones.

When Gary was first diagnosed with A.D. his Dr. gave me a book for caregivers called The 36 Hour Day.  I would LOVE to have a 36 hour day and the appropriate amount of energy too because this is a busy season of life for me.  (I'll spare you the details, because many of you are in busy seasons as well, and I'm sure you understand.)  There used to be a time when Gary would help me sort it all out, being very logical, and would help me decide what tasks were most important.  Now he rarely speaks so I have to rely on what I think he would say.  I'm sure he'd tell me to do the most important things first, so they would be sure to get done, and let the less important things sort themselves out.

I never get everything done that I want to, and never will, but I'm comforted by the fact that there is always enough time to do the things God wants me to do.  I want to spend the 24 hours He has given me making a priority of the things God considers most important.

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33 


"Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest." Prov. 6:6-8
And now...for something completely different:   
I'm smiling just thinking about it...

4 comments:

  1. When I was young and single, someone shared the same illustration with my sister using walnuts and rice in a jar. She shared it with me, and it made a lasting impression. With my boys, I used their toyboxes to teach them the same lesson. :-)
    Good lessonn to pass on!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like the idea of the walnuts and rice. I think it would prove the point better!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Laurie, thank you so much for this blog. Each time I read it, I'm super encouraged. This particular blog left a lasting impression as well. As a student, I often find myself committing time to my education before my time with the Lord or serving my husband. And then I think, "Well, I just didn't have time to read my bible today or wash Sergio's clothes, or clean the bathroom." Thank you for reminding me that I may not have time to do all the things I want to, but I'll always have time to do the things God wants me to - especially when I don't put other things before Him!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Laurie,
    This is a wonderful post and series. Sorry I missed it before. I read and reviewed "The Organized Heart" which says so much of what you are saying here. I am staying home with a bad cold today. Today I can cope. Last night I couldn't cope because of all I "had" to do and didn't have energy to do. I have that 36 Hour book also, but only read from the index as needed.
    Hugs and prayers,
    Carol
    P.S. I pray for social media friends such as yourself on Fridays.

    ReplyDelete