Sunday, March 7, 2010

Beware Of Spending Too Much Time On Matters Of Little Importance

It’s nice to know God is in control and nothing happens in my life that He hasn’t allowed. Let’s just say that I have gone through some major changes in my life this week, both at work and at home. Blogging has become kind of an addiction with me. It’s hard to cut back but being on the computer all day is making it easier for me to do. I also found a saying in the March-April-May 2010 “Our Daily Bread” that really hit home with me: “Beware of spending too much time on matters of too little importance.” Although blogging is something I enjoy, it really isn’t important, is it? God, my husband, my pets, my friends (although I do have some very dear blogging buddies who I consider friends as well), my health, my work is all more important. I was putting a lot of extra pressure on me to rush through supper so I could get to reading and commenting on the blogs I follow in my reader. I’m just not going to make that a daily task anymore. I’ll get to it if and when I feel like it for my own sanity.

After many years of having a very cushy job that I felt I wasn’t really earning my pay, I moved to a new floor with new lawyers and a lot of new responsibilities. Way back when I first started, I was very busy most of the time and I really liked it! Now that is how it is again. I am looking at this as a challenge and already have seen how God is using this to do a new work in me. My first couple days were horrible. I’m used to being on top of things and I felt like I was struggling to “keep my head above water.” I had lots of filing to get caught up on and no printer for labels or envelopes so had to rely on other secretaries for assistance (who were very nice because they have been swamped for a long time and are thrilled to have another secretary on their floor to take up some of their load). By Friday, I finally got pretty much all the filing done and a temporary printer too! I’ve learned many new procedures related to my job this week and finally see some light at the end of the tunnel and a better attitude.

For some time now I’ve been lax in having a quiet time every morning, just praying at the bus stop. Well, now with this job change it has made me rely on God more and seek His help to learn new things quickly and adjust to my new bosses. It has been a very stressful week so I knew I needed to put blogging aside and get some exercise in first thing in the morning just to allow me to relieve some that stress. Wednesday, though I came across a message on a blog that I really needed to hear. Unfortunately, I can’t remember which one it was. I know I found a video on Beth Moore’s LPM blog that reminded me to stay in the word. I posted the following verses and prayer in my cubicle so I would be reminded through the day: Philippians 4:13--
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
and Proverbs 17:22--
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Father, in Heaven, I choose to rejoice (sing, shout, clap, dance, spin around) in you.
I set my heart, mind and emotions on you today knowing that you are faithful. I will
Sing of your mercies and goodness all the days of my life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen


At the end of the day, my brain needs a rest so I have been relaxing more in the evenings with my husband watching TV or just enjoying playing with my pets. I look forward to the warmer weather too when I will join him on dog walks and work in the yard or play some tennis again. All this means that I must let go of the pressure I put on myself to visit the blogs I follow regularly. There just isn’t enough time in the day to comment on all the blogs that I’d like, but I did enjoy it while it lasted. Now, I’m actually on the computer pretty constantly at work so by evening, I’ve had enough. Gerard is happy about this! He’s been wanting to get on it more and also likes me spending more time with him.

I think these are both positive changes that have come about from this job change. I try to look for what God wants to teach me through my life experiences that he allows in my life and so far I’ve come up with these two big changes in my routine. I have noticed that I actually have more energy when I’m busy all day than when I wasn’t. I definitely feel more needed at work again and feel better about accepting the paycheck.

Are you addicted to blogging? What are you spending too much time on that really isn’t important? Is God trying to tell you something? How is He working in your life?

5 comments:

Lin said...

Karen, this is exactly why I dropped EC. I know I could belong and not drop, but those stats always stared at me. I finally realized that I can't do things halfway and I had to quit it altogether.

Now, I read when I want and comment when I can and if the subject interests me. I don't comment if I have nothing to say or if I don't have time. I hope that you never feel you have to visit me or comment daily. Please come when you can and enjoy. I never want you to feel like you have to come by or comment, so take me off the obligation list. :)

I think you are making a wise choice. Everything is perspective and taking time for your family and personal life is very important. I blog instead of watching TV, so I don't feel like my life is sacrificing anymore. Balance is key and it's okay if you don't blog everyday. Really.

BeadedTail said...

You are making a great decision to back off on blogging and spend time on things that are more important to you. I've been working 10+ hour days and still feel a huge responsbility to visit my blog friends. For my own sanity, I am going to have to back off some too. I know everyone understands so it's a huge relief!

Lia at Petite Little Bee said...

This is something we should all taking into account.

Hope you have a chance to come say hi.

Cheers, Lia

Rebecca said...

That's really neat-- God has been wanting me to slow down and put "first things first." And I know quite a few other Christians to whom God is saying this. It probably won't be long til He returns.

I'm glad to see things are turning out better for you at work, and your post about your Sunday School boys coming over was very delightful to read!

The Silver Age Sara said...

Dear Karen,

What a beautiful post and very timely for me. I have been largely absent from the blogging world while my new blog has its finishing touches and I have to be honest, after the first few days of struggling with my blog addiction, I didn't miss it. I spent more time reading books I love, spending quality time on the farm with Mountain Man and delighting in God's Universe. It's so easy to get sucked up into this virtual world but the real world is so much more important.
I'm glad you're facing challenges to help you grow in your job. It just shows you what trust your employers have in you and how capable you are.
I really loved this post. God first and foremost but blogging (at least for me) is going to be way down on my list of priorities.

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