Sometimes the right answer is No.

It's odd really. I have little problem saying no to so many things. I can say no to my daughter's request to go to the mall, no to my son's wish for a new video game, no to a second helping (although that is a recent development) sometimes no is easy.

I have noticed, though, that sometimes no is harder to say. When a friend asks if I can do a favor, when my son wants to stay later to work on debate, when my daughter asks if I can bake some cookies or cupcakes for school... it is so easy to say yes. Sometimes, though, yes is not the right answer. The right answer is no.

I've done it so many times. I've overloaded my schedule creating stress for myself, my family and damaging those things that are really important. Honestly. It's been a real problem for me.

Now, I know, especially in the wake of our new President's call to service my focus on faith and family, etc., and unwillingness to bite off more than I can chew may seem downright selfish. Perhaps it is. On the other hand, though, Jesus tells us that our highest commitment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and soul. (Matthew 22:37) He also reminds us that we must remain in Him. He tells us, basically, I am the vine and you are the branches, cut off from me, you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

I have to keep first things first. In keeping the main thing the main thing, there are many temptations. It's also important to remember our passions. We all have things that energize us and make us feel alive. God made us this way! For me, it's running and fitness. I need to have time to pursue that on a regular basis.

I am fortunate, and also a bit politically incorrect, because I've learned the Lord has given me an ally. My husband. I've found that he, more than I, is better able to combat the feelings of condemnation and guilt I feel when I say no to what appears to be a worthy cause. He helps make me sure that I choose what is best... and avoid Martha's mistake.

After all, if I spend 40 hours at work, and 20 hours volunteering for good causes, but my family doesn't have dinner, and my teens need the support of outside mentors... I've not accomplished anything. If I don't have connection with Him, all my work will come to nothing. If I've not allowed time to do the things I am passionate about... I'll lose my passion.

So... I'm not saying not to answer the new President's call... I'm saying to prayerfully consider how you can best serve, and to remember that keeping the first commandment is still the most important. :)

Feelings

I've been pondering this for quite some time. Obviously, we were created with emotions and these are gifts from God. However, I also know that these emotions can cause us problems in our walk with Him.

There are times when we may feel exceptionally close to Him. We have the sense that He is with us, and surrounds us with his loving presence. Those are wonderful times in a Christian's walk. The fact is there is no feeling that is better.

At other times, though, we may feel abandoned. We have the sense that He is gone and has withdrawn from us. These are painful and hard times in a Christian's walk. The fact is that there is no feeling that is more hurtful.

However, the reality is that we cannot trust our feelings about our closeness to Him. Paul says, for we walk by faith and not by sight. He might just as well have said, we walk by faith and not by feelings. Our feelings can be wrong, and inaccurate.

Our sight can be off. We've had blizzards here in sunny but freezing SoDakota, and I must tell you those blizzards...are really something. You can be driving along and think you know where the road is, but a sudden gust of howling wind, and blowing snow, whites out the road right in front of you. Sight... is not such a good guide in times like these. :)

Ever taken offense at a comment that was meant innocently? Ever assumed something about someone that was incorrect because of a feeling that you had? These are just examples of how we can be misled.

The good news, though, is that the Lord knows how He made us. He's given us His word to follow. If we trust in that and walk by faith in the word when those doubts and feelings of abandonment set in, we'll know that He is always with us... He promised He would be.

So today, I'm going to work on walking more by faith and less by sight. More by faith, and less by feelings.

Be Blessed!

Time

Sometimes there are not enough hours in the day. So much that I want to get done and accomplished.

It's times like these that I have to be watchful and wary. It's so easy to say, oh well, I'll do my devotion later in the day... and then that particular time never arrives. I'm learning a bit about my spiritual muscles as I learned last year about my physical self. I am the sort of person who really shouldn't put these most important things off.

I used to put off exercise until later in the day and would make the excuse that there just isn't time. There was time, though. I just hadn't made using it for exercise a priority. Now, I'm not saying that to beat up on anyone... I'm saying it because I now recognize it as a truth for myself.

I realize that what I did with exercise I've done with my time with Him. I've said that I have no time. When, in reality, I haven't used the time for and with Him. A simple change of focus, and suddenly... it's easier.

I'd rather spend time exercising, and sitting at His feet instead of watching another mindless show, or something else. It really reminds me of the story where a professor is discussing time management with students. He takes a jar and fills it with sand then tries to put larger rocks in and everything doesn't fit. However, when he puts the rocks in first, the sand fills in around the rocks and everything fits.

So... what are your rocks? What things are so important that you'll fill your jar of time with? For me, those rocks are God, exercise, work, family, church. Although, not necessarily in exactly that order. The sand... is important too. But if the rocks are first... the sand will fit.