This last week has slipped away from me.  I've been in time, and yet I've seen the days move by...faster and faster.  As hard as I try to utilize every moment of time, I still find myself short, wishing that for more time.

What is it about time?  How can I need more time in my day?  What's interesting about that is that our Lord gives us 24 hours of time.  Each day.  Not a minute more, not a minute less.  And yet, here I am, yearning for more time to complete everything.  But, then again, what's everything?

I've begun to realize that perhaps there are items on my busy plate of life that don't need to be there.  On the surface they look great, they are service projects, they are my own projects, and yet they are contributing to the ever-increasing anxiety in the lack of time in my day.  When I ponder the type of mother and wife that I desire to be, the type that the Lord would desire, I do not conjure up an image of a woman who is frazzled and frustrated over the lack of time.  

Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come.

Proverbs 31:25

Laughs at the time to come?  When do I laugh when I ponder my week ahead?  All too often, as I look at the various schedules and duties that are penciled on my calander overwhelm fills my spirit.  When overwhelm is allowed to reign, then strength and dignity cannot be worn.  So where do I, and other women, adopt and wear strength and dignity?  For the last week, as my time raced by, I thought about time.  I thought about blogging, about my duties, about mothering, about being a wife, about work, and about my dreams.  The importance of a Godly hierarchy of time became apparant.  It is way too easy to allow "good things" and obligations to overtake time. 

What I began to realize is that my family needs to come first in my time structure.  First, after my relationship with the Lord, of course.  When I allow my own needs and desires to outpace the needs of my family, I find myself out of balance, out of sync.  Now mind you, the needs of my family include structuring time for myself to plan and recharge.  What I say "yes" to needs to work with our family structure.  Will it cause anxiety as we leave?  Will I have to take away needed time from them to pursue this option?  These questions need pondering before a new commitment is added to my plate.  I desire that our home is a sanctuary, a place of needed rest and learning.  I know that living under the pressures of an over-scheduled life will not allow my family life to be calm and nurturing. 

My life, right now, is in a place of transition.  Many things are shifting, rearranging.  Some are amazing blessings, and some things are quite difficult.  This last week, when I didn't blog, it  was an intentional choice. I am grateful for all of you continuing to check in on my blog.   I knew that I needed to reserve my time for my family. However, blogging is an amazing way for me to journal my thoughts and gain some clarity.  And, because of that, it is structured into my weeks.  My goal is to write 2-3 times/ week.  I'm hoping that when I do that you are blessed by my words. 

Can I challenge you to look at your schedule, your use of time?  So often we move at such a hyper pace, that our robes are not of strength, but rather of slavery.  The Lord has blessed us with 24 hours each day.  What are you going to use your gift of time, of a day,  for?  And what robe will you clothe yourself with?  I pray that your use of time, and mine, allows us to wear strength and dignity.

Blessings,

Rachel