"I'm in a hurry to get things done Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun." If you listen to any secular music or even watch tv, you probably have heard those lyrics from the song "In A Hurry." It was on the album 'American Pride' by the country music group Alabama.
Today that seems to be the song playing in my mind as I prepare my husband, my children and myself for our family photos this afternoon and then trick or treating immediately afterwards.
Now I know for some of you that may have brought a picture into your head of my son dressed like 'Bumblebee the Transformer' and my daughter dressed as a kitten IN our family photos. No, I hope I am not in that big of a hurry!! Actually, I will graciously require both of my children to wear their 'color-coded' clothing to make sure they match mommy and daddy in the photos. Of course their hair will be all pretty and proper for the photos as well. THEN they may dismantle the hours of work I have done making them appear just as cute on the outside as I, their mommy, KNOW they are on the inside, and put on their cute little Halloween costumes.
My husband and I take our children each year and let them trick or treat at the different stores
at our local mall. Not only is it safer, it is also much warmer! We have found it keeps our children
from complaining about the fun they are having - in the cold! :)
We also try to take our children to a small carnival one of the local churches puts on every year for the kids of the community at the fairgrounds as an alternative to traditional trick or treating. Well, as I prepare for this long afternoon and evening that lingers before me, like a lure rabbit in front of a Greyhound running the track, I find myself out of breath. I have to take a moment to pause and evaluate the things before me that need to still be done. This is to make sure that when I leave through that front door, get in the car and drive four miles that I don't have to turn around and come back for that one item I am usually bound to forget.
Let me catch some of you up on why that is a big deal for me. My husband and I live in a small town about 30 miles from the 'real' town that everyone in this valley refers to as 'town.' Although the town I live in is home to about 1800 residents, 2000 if you count the surrounding areas, there is truly not a lot here for convenience. Yes, we have a couple gas stations, we have a grocery store meager as it may be and we even have our own video rental store, however, we are not a thriving metropolis worthy of a WalMart or Target. SO, for me to drive 30 miles to 'town' and realize that I have forgotten oh say, my son's color-coded matching family photo shirt. AAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!
To eliminate this possible frustration, I now take out my trusty notepad and make my list of everything I will need. Items for each member of the family to look absolutely adorable for our photos and then of course everything each child will need for trick or treating afterwards... this is where I find the ability to think clearly again. Amazing to know that a simple written list can clear my mind!
This reminds me of what God's Word should be for each of us. We need to make sure before we start every day we make our own list of things God teaches us in our time with Him and take those things with us as we face our tasks that day. The Bible is God's living breathing words written to us, His children. All we have to do is spend time in His Word and be still before Him and He speaks to us through His Word. He will give us that list of things He wants us to take with us through our day. What could be better than a list straight from God, our Sovereign King?
What things does God need to teach me today? Or are there things God just needs to remind me of that I have temporarily forgotten?
Let's take time and remember to put God first on our lists of tasks for today. He's always waiting for some time with each of us - He is our 24 hour Heavenly Super Store for our souls!!
Verses for today:
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Deuteronomy 29:18 "Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison."
2 Samuel 22:7 "In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears."
Hebrews 3:12 "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God."
Thought for today:
Why are we always looking for the newest book that just came out and seems to have all the
answers when we already have the book with all the answers right there in front of us - God's Word!
Song for today:
"I'm In A Hurry" (And Don't Know Why)
Alabama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL35oOdkn6w
I know it isn't a christian song, but, it still makes you think about why we rush and rush!
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