Rocks and a Net
As school begins, the preparation can be exciting or it can be overwhelming. There are so many options and not enough time! Whether in school or the office or as a homemaker, time is limited and what we want to do with it is often more than will fit. I found myself talking with two dear sisters in the Lord about wanting to host and lead The Truth Project this fall. We planned a time and place and had people in mind to invite. As I shared with my husband, he wisely reminded me that I am welcome to move forward with that plan as long as I realized that several other plans would need to be set aside. I simply don’t have time to do both. His dose of realism was a needed reminder to weigh the options, take them before the Lord, and seek His direction to do what He deems is best for this time.
As I reflected on this tendency to over schedule, I remembered earlier lessons about the Rocks and a Net. Our day of limited hours is like an empty jar, waiting to be filled. I have several Rocks that must go in each day: set aside time with the Lord in His Word, exercise, and preparing meals/housekeeping. Smaller stones of importance will change daily: appointments, errands, teaching, mentoring, etc.
Pebbles are often the serendipity opportunities that pop up and are hard to resist. If I am to make sure the Rocks get into each day, they must go in first. Otherwise, they get bumped if the day fills up with stones and pebbles. Prioritize what the Lord directs to be the Rocks of your day. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (shelter, food, clothes) will be added to you (Matt 6:33).
So what about the Net? I was in the home of dear friends years ago who had children spanning the ages of infant to teens. My girls were entering high school and I was overwhelmed with all that I thought they needed to know before they graduated...how was I possibly going to teach it all? This Mom wisely smiled and said, “You won’t teach them all they need to know. It’s impossible. Instead, focus on building in them a safety net of Truth. As they continue to mature, they will fill in the holes of the Net with additional learning. You are responsible to teach them Truth.”
What a relief! I experienced less anxiety and more assurance as I let the Rocks and the Net guide me in raising my girls. And now I am working once again to put the Rocks in my day first. To keep my focus on what is life-giving and has eternal value. And to remember that despite all the information and trivia and news and advice that comes our way daily, my safety Net that holds me up is Truth. It is our only sure foundation.
How about you? What helps you to focus on the essentials in your daily plans?