Enjoying Time While I Wait...

Congratulations, Serena
Williams, on another Wimbleton win! I am feeling like a winner today, too.

The message has been pretty in-my-face these past few weeks regarding where I am and need to be...

"God will strengthen us and enable us to handle life peacefully
and wisely if we start praying about things instead of merely
trying to get through the day. When we take time with God and listen to His
voice, He renews our strength and enables us to handle life and not be weary.
But we have to start by using the time we have wisely by always putting God first."

-- Joyce Meyer

Psalm 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the LORD;he turned to me and heard my cry.He lifted me out of the slimy pit,out of the mud and mire;he set my feet on a rockand gave me a firm place to stand.He put a new song in my mouth,a hymn of praise to our God."

"Those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired."
— Isaiah 40:31

DayLIFE Saving Time

The second Sunday in March is the start of Daylight Saving Time for North America. At 2 A.M., we lose an hour of sleep; however, our days become longer in that we have more daylight.

While I hated losing an hour, it is nice to begin leaving out of work with it still appearing to be light outside. This past week will not really count for me since I had to keep later hours in preparation for testing with our eighth graders. And, I cannot stress how glad I am that we do not have to do anymore major testing until May...Yes, it is right around the corner, but I've got a little time. Allow me to enjoy it.

This innovative idea of daylight saving first began with Benjamin Franklin. He created an essay to discuss his thoughts, but not much was really done with the concept. Later, the argument would be propelled by William Willett who created pamphlets to explain to people how they were wasting daylight--particularly during the Spring and Summer months.

So, in my studying and quiet time with God, the concept struck me: DayLIFE Saving.

In this season of Lent and giving up something--in my case the television--we are to insert time of prayer and study in to draw closer to Him. Yes, there is sacrifice involved, but the benefits are worthwhile. I dread the loss of an hour, but appreciate the gaining of lighter, longer evenings. Similarly, I have in some ways dreaded the loss of those things that I have given up for this period of 40 days, but I have truly been blessed with the LIFE saving nuggets of wisdom God has graced me with over the last couple of weeks.

Small moments of time with him are so much greater in the end. I am growing, learning, and better realizing more effective ways to use my time. More so, I am more caught up in remembering powerful verses and positive words that speak to me during the more stressful moments of life. My intake is good although I still need to work on my eating habits!

When you start putting in, you'll stop stressing out (Psalm 71). Meditate on that.

Now, it is off to another exciting week of work. I must get myself ready for rest!