Too Busy or Distracted?

Do you have someone who really listens to you? If so, you are blessed!
How about those that you become too busy to listen to?
This time of the year can get us so busy doing the right things that we miss making the right choices. It happened to me the other day.
Two ladies walked in to write out a letter for our Christmas Wish program. It was while I was in the middle of juggling three other tasks on my "to do" list.  After they finished writing their letter, I scanned over it to ensure we had all their information. This was the right thing to do. I explained the next step in the process and sent them on their way. I missed making the right choice to pray with them.  I was too busy and/or distracted to take the time and really listen to them. They may have had a hurt in their life. They may have needed some Godly direction. I did not allow myself to slow down long enough to make a true difference in their life.
I recognize that we all get busy and miss opportunities like this. However, there is Someone who does not miss anything. There are many places in the Book of Psalms that declare God is never too busy or distracted to hear from you or others.

Psalms 40:1

I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.

Psalms 66:19

But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

Psalms 116:1-2

I love the Lord, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
² Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

So, know you are very blessed because Jesus is always ready and willing to listen even when no one else is. 

He is your friend who will listen no matter what the rest of your friends are busy doing or distracted. 

Expectations are Premeditated Resentments, Enjoy Life A Little!

It's the most wonderful time of the year and it can also be the most emotional, stressful, and argumentative time of the year.  Most of the time this happens because we expect higher things of ourselves and others.
Often times, we expect to have the house cleaned up perfectly. We expect the decorations to be thoroughly set and the food to be completely delicious to everyone.  Yet, we get frustrated when these things don't get done to our expectations.  We overlook the possibility that we set our standards too high for people. Why?  We become down right disappointed, frustrated, or even angry when it doesn't turn out the way think it should.
I'm not saying that setting our standards high is a bad thing; on the contrary it is good. However, we cannot expect too much at all times.

Sometimes settling for good is better than settling for the best. It will help us appreciate the things that get done. We will appreciate the people around us that assist us in completing our task list. We give our peace away.  This time of of the year is suppose to be about peace, not stress, not anger, and not over achieving.

Settle for what can be done, accept the things you can change, change the things you are able to, and ask for wisdom to know the difference. Sure, it is going to take time to set up the lights, cook the meals, and clean the house. However, do it with an attitude of gratitude. Don't expect everything to get done in one day. Remember? Rome wasn't built in one hour or one day.

So, feeling overwhelmed with your to do list? Take some time, step back, take a deep breathe and then set your priorities. As you get to the bottom of the list, make sure they are items that can wait until after the party, after the guest leave, or can wait for another month.  Enjoy the celebration is about remembering what God through His Son has done for us.

Jesus was on earth for 33 years. He went to Martha's home to eat. She was so worried about getting her to do list done that she became resentful of Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet listening to everything he had to say.  Martha expected Mary to get up and help her. When Mary didn't she got frustrated and said to Jesus. "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

Don't you get this way?  You've asked your husband to help you fix something in the house and he says half hearing you "sure, in a moment."  You've told the kids to clean their rooms and they respond, "Sure, mom, give me a moment." Then when they don't do it in your time, you get upset.

"Martha, Martha,," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."  (Luke 10:38-42).

Spend time this season reflecting, remembering, and enjoying what cannot be taken away, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the reason you are hustling and bustling to get things done. That is why you have guest over. To enjoy the moment you have with one another. So, do what you need to do and leave everything else for another day.

~Be encouraged to stop and enjoy the things that cannot be taken away from you.