“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
I cannot hardly believe it, but today I’m sitting outside on my porch enjoying the warmth of beautiful sunshine and a soft, gentle breeze. I hear my feathered friends chirping and can catch glimpses of new growth beginning to bud all around me. It’s a beautiful day in Georgia!
I think about this weekend, and the fact that time will be “changing” again - we go back one hour. Yes, we may lose an hour of sleep but we have longer daylight hours which is delightful in my opinion. Speaking of time, life has been to crazy lately I’ve not had time enough to think, much less to meet you here. Shame on me!
That’s why I’m purposefully parked here on my porch right now, sharing part of my life and thoughts with you today. Sometimes we just need to make room for the important stuff in life and not allow ourselves to be drained by “normal” to-do list stuff. You know, those things which will actually wait until you get to them. Nobody else is going to do it, there’s not really an urgency to do it either…it’s just our daily routine which eats up our day in the form of busy. Busyness isn’t the definition of success nor enjoyment. Sometimes, we need to scoot all those items down the list of to-do’s and focus on doing something which will bring an extra dose of happiness to our day. Add that to the to-do list already!
I thought about going to lunch with someone today, but that normally involves me needing to decompress from the stress of needing to talk. I thought about going for a much needed pedicure, but then I have to go out in the public and fight who knows what. Instead, I took care of preparing and eating lunch with my husband; we enjoyed a burger out on the deck. After cleaning up, I gave our pup a bath and enjoyed watching her fly around the room in her “freshly clean” routine.
Now, here I am doing what I love. My heart, which felt a little “iffy” this morning, has settled down and it’s calming down more and more as I write to share this with you. Let’s rearrange and do a thing which seems least important or insignificant, a thing that actually doesn’t even make it on our long lists most days.
✅ Do something you enjoy, that which brings a smile to your face.
Why wouldn’t we write that very important thing down too? I don’t know about you, but I never write that on my to-do list. Ever. Maybe we should reevaluate! Don’t you think God wants us to find an extra bit of delight in our day? Of course, we should delight ourselves in Him first and foremost, but after that, and caring for others and what’s required of us for the day - do something out of the ordinary.
I think Ecclesiastes is filled with opportunities and reasons for us to find a time for everything — including something we enjoy. What do we have to offer others if we aren’t taking care of ourselves? The Bible clearly states for us to love our neighbor as our self. Sometimes the need tugging at our hearts is to stop and enjoy life for a moment instead of continually running at break-neck speed to “get it all done.”
We can busy ourselves every day, all day long, in the name of being productive, or we can spend a moment enjoying the life God has blessed us with and find contentment and satisfaction therein.
I’m not saying to let everything go and just focus on fun and enjoyment. We are required to do some things, but we must live a balanced life in which we allow for ourselves to enjoy it too. Continual busyness without room for enjoyment can lead to bitterness and resentment. We sure don’t want to be eaten up with that!
So, what I’m saying is, stop and smell the roses. Take an hour - or a day - and do something you enjoy doing. Do something which lights your heart up, something which makes you smile and forget the toil of life for a moment. There most certainly is a “season” in your day to do so! Don’t feel guilty, God created us to worship Him. We do that with our hearts lifted to Him, but we can also do so by taking a moment or two to reflect on His goodness and enjoy the gifts and life He has blessed us with. Fact!
So, I ask us, what will we find enjoyment in today? The dishes will be there later — unless a miracle happens! And, I guarantee we’ll enjoy doing them much better, and be better company for others, if we’ve taken time out to enjoy ourselves for a few moments. Let’s include it in our to-do lists…there’s a time for everything. Let’s allow a break for silliness and fun, smiling and laughter, enjoying the day God has given; and do it as worship unto Him. Remember, love grows and shows from a heart of overflow, not deficit.
Grab that To-Do list right now. Treat yourself. Ready. Set. Go!
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