First Things First

I've been thinking a lot about priorities.  The book I'm reading speaks on the topic - I'll write a book review soon.


First, take a look at what I focus on the most...My mind says this, this and this are a priority, but does my actions align?

If those two don't align, how do I get there?  One step at a time, right?  Currently, my garden needs weeding.  Because the pain in my body has receded, I didn't want to aggravate anything.  I decided that I'll spend 10 to 20 minutes a day over the next week to get it back in shape (I have a small 12 x 5 garden, it shouldn't take that much!)  I've started to do that with the clutter in the main part of the house - put things away and be on top of my daughter to do the same.  The most important part is follow through.  This means I need to be aware of what I'm doing and what needs done.  I need to prioritize my time.

I read this quote:
Set priorities for your goals.  A major part of successful living lies in the ability to put first things first.  Indeed, the reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first -- Author Unknown.

There was a time in my life that this was 100% true.  Now it's not so much, however there's always room for improvement - such as garden time!

I don't want to come to the end of my life completing only seconds.  I want to finish those major goals.  I ready to do what I can for my health and pain.  I made some tough decisions and I'm sticking to it.  I've allowed myself rest and pushed through to do rehap exercises.

I recognized obstacles will come.  I have an enemy that wants to see me fail, to be ineffective in ministry.  However, my eyes will stay focused on my Savior.  My God will come through.  I will endure until the end.  I will take each step needed (in God's timing!)  I won't take any step alone, the Spirit is here.

Seek Him - Find Him

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

This verse has been in my head this last week.  God has put it before me on several occasions.  I want to seek Papa with all my heart.  I will seek Him.  I am seeking Him.

Stop focusing on my sin that easily entangles me.  Stop focusing on my pain.  Stop focusing on what I do/ will do.  Show me what it means to seek with all my heart!

Set in awe and reverence for the One who made me.  He is my Rock, my Strength.  I love my Papa.

Pain

I'm struggling with high levels of physical pain - which is hard to focus on much else.  What little time I do have, I have to focus on what's most important - and this blog usually doesn't make it.

I've written about my foot sprain.  My IT band.  Perhaps not the chronic pain in my shoulder and arm that has been with me since my teens.  One week ago I sat in church trying to stay composed.  I have chronic tendonitis in my ride side - that is from my ear down - my neck/shoulder/arm/abs/back/hip/it band/foot.  I only have tightness in my calf - thankfully.  To top it off, I can't take anything but tylenol because it hurts my stomach so.  Muscle relaxers don't ease the burning from muscles/tendons (although they can help with sleep, they lower my blood pressure which is barely high enough to keep my going as it is - so I can't take more than one night at a time.)

And when the pain settles in like last week (making it hard to sleep), it's hard to not allow it to be your only focus.  It's hard to keep my eyes on God.  But where else would I turn?  He answered prayer and the week lead to new discoveries and determinations. 

• Specific exercise that may help the IT band issue, trapezius and foot.
• Encouragement to get a cortisone shot in at least my hip - this is a big decision for me since I resisted so long - but hope that that shot will give me time pain free to strengthen this area.
• I have to stop doing so much - working/playing through the pain.  I need rehab!
• I am free from over working myself - I don't have to keep up and push myself to pain.  I need to take the days of rest my body needs.
• It's important to ask for prayers.  It's important to keep bringing my pain to God - not just to remove it, but to help me learn from it.

God gave me this body and all things to be a steward of.  I'm not being a very good steward, but I'm making a plan to get there.  The weight I've gained with my foot issue has to be combated in the kitchen not in exercise.  I love God more.  My flesh may bulk, I may endure a new kind of discomfort, but in the end it is worth it.

"A steward is not supposed to manage things for his own pleasure, convenience or benefit.  Instead, he is expected to follow his master's instructions and look out for his master's interest, even if they conflict with his own personal desires or convenience (Jn 12:24-26.)" Ken Sande

Hebrews 12
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart...¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.