People ask me how I get so much done. It’s a simple system really:
1. Prioritize
2. Pray
3. Proceed
As I go, I trust that if something else should be a greater priority, God will let me know. I pay attention to the gentle stirring of God in me.
Am I still overwhelmed by everything in my to-do list? Yes. Do many things fight for priority? Yes.
Do I struggle with giving everything over to God? Yes. Relinquishment is not a one time thing. Prayer happens many, many times during that day as I press in to God.
4. Press In
And even when I proceed things don’t always go as planned. Most tasks take longer than I’d hoped. Kids interrupt me. But this is life. My steps are never a straight line, but rather a windy path. It’s important not to see my family and the people in my life as obstacles, but rather just part of the journey!
So what does this look like in reality? I found an old journal from 2009.
August 17, 2009
It’s 4 a.m. I’m up early to take my mom to the airport. She came to stay with my grandma while our family went on our second Czech mission trip, and we had a good time. It’s been great having her here. Yesterday was my grandma’s 80th birthday party. Her birthday is one month from today, but we celebrated early so my mom could be here. I woke up today concerned about *. I’m praying on how to reach out to her.
August 20, 2009
I’m sitting here praying about a conference call about a possible new book project with Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges: Lead Your Family Like Jesus. Lord, may your words flow through me and may you be glorified.
This week has been a challenging one. Liz needs edits on Life, In Spite of Me by next week. Rachel needs edits for Lonesome Prairie by Friday. And Fiona needs edits for All Things Hidden as soon as possible. I asked for next Friday just to be safe. Lord, be glorified by all I do, but not just about the writing. Be glorified by the love and care I have for my family too!
August 22, 2009
We went and visited John’s parents last night. It was great seeing them but I felt bad that we haven’t been around more. With the Czech trip and all the editing projects my time has been full. Lord, please show me how to balance. I know it’s not just about the books and writing. Help me to be faithful in all things.
“Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart,” Jeremiah 29:13 (AMP)
As you can see, prioritizing, prayer, and proceeding only work as I press in. I can only do what I do because of God in Me, and His Word reminds me of that. And knowing this leads me to one more entry that I added to this journal just this year.
June 5, 2013
It’s amazing to look back at this notebook. Those books I was struggling to finish, edit, complete are done. The words got written, and I made my deadlines. Readers’ hearts have been touched. To God be the glory! I can’t write one word without the Lord, let alone these books. I continually have to depend on you, O Lord. There is no more wonderful place to be!
“The key is not what a person can do, but what God will do in and through a person’s life.” Henry Blackaby
How about you? Do you think this system would help you get more done?
How do you listen to God’s voice in the middle of a busy life?
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Thanks for sharing, Tricia! Life can often get so busy we forget to take extra care to find time for those we love. I think you’ve found a great method that can work for many people. It’s basically what I do, too, I just hadn’t put it in words.
Blessings,
Andrea
You’re welcome!! I’m the same way. It takes me “thinking through” things before I realize what I’m doing. LOL
Often, when I’m talking things out with my mom, I hear myself saying, “I didn’t figure that out until just now.” It’s a surreal feeling when that happens.
Those are light-bulb moments for sure!
{Melinda} I love how you broke this down into easy-to-remember steps. And you are so right. It is a process that we have to do over and over again. A long time ago, God convicted me of my frustrations with my children. I realized that they are very vessels God uses to shape my character, THEY are my priority. Period. Keeping those truths in the forefront of my mind when life gets crazy and stressful is always a challenge. I’m writing down and memorizing these steps. Thank you, Tricia.
You’re welcome!!
HI!
Can you please expand on what you mean by “Press In”? I am trying to get more purposeful in planning my days to help beat the add I struggle with daily and to make sure my children have a Godly mother and childhood. I appreciate the post I just don’t know how to apply the last part. Thanks!