Author: ObtainingMercy

It's not been a particularly hectic Monday, for which I am grateful.  I am pretty tired though, from a busy Sunday, and so I started out the day a little unmotivated.

However, I went ahead with my exercise program this morning.  I'm so glad that I did!  My energy level rises, the aches and kinks and knots get worked out a bit, and I do feel better afterward! 

I followed my exercise with some time in God's Word, and felt my spirit and emotions brighten after a spiritual "workout", too.

I was then able to make some phone calls, pay a couple of bills, give Isaac's caregiver a to-do list, make lunch for hubby and I, and work on next month's budget with a relaxed, yet energized body and a peaceful mind and spirit.

Managing our households is all about keeping the proper priorities. 

Doug and I often use this analogy to keep ourselves mindful of our priorities:  When the flight attendants on the airplane give the emergency procedures lecture, they remind the parents that if there is a change in oxygen levels and the oxygen masks fall down, they are to put on their mask first!  Then they are to place the mask on their child's face.

I can't help my child breathe if I am passed out in the seat next to him, can I?

It's the same in our homes.  I have to take care of myself so that I can be a good mommy to Isaac.

I'm not talking about selfish "Me Time" when I neglect my family to give in to my selfish whims.  I mean doing the things for myself that help me to function at my optimal level.

Most of the time, that means that I need to make time for exercise, for Bible study, for proper nutrition.  Sometimes it means that I need to have a "play date" with a girlfriend, or to go out window shopping all-by-myself.

I need to be introspective enough to see what is necessary, yet unselfish enough to refuse to be indulgent in my list of "needs".

It's not an easy balance, and I confess that I am not very adept at keeping my priorities right all the time.  Just one look at my current physical state will tell the tale on me.  I neglected my health for many years, and am now trying to play catch-up.

I'm so glad that God is a forgiving God, and that He is also very merciful when I cry out for help.  I know that He is helping me as I continue to keep my priorities in their place and do the things that He has laid on my heart to do.

I use my Mondays to look toward the week ahead so that I can manage the week well.  I want to be as diligent in my work, here in my home, as the most highly-paid executive assistant out in the business world.

My work has a wonderful eternal value!  No one else in the world can fill my role in this family.  I want to do all I can to be the best Manager I can be!

How are you "managing" your home today?  I challenge you to rearrange your priorities, and tackle those areas that have been neglected for far too long.

 

Psalm 116:4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

 

I just had to share these receipts, something I don't normally do, but I was super excited about my savings this week!

 

I can honestly say the coupon-gathering and the deal-creating are getting easier each week…AND I feel so victorious when I have spent $81.19 and saved $80.28!!!

I know eventually my savings will be higher than my spending, and THAT will be really exciting! 🙂

We did have another adventure while shopping – a flat tire!!!  Argh!

Then I remembered that Dave Ramsey said as soon as we had an emergency fund in place, we would need it! 

It was super hot today, supposed to be in the lower 90s, I think.  Isaac and I sat in the truck while Doug worked on the tire.  He did have someone who offered to help and that was a blessing.  The man's wife even went and bought cold water for all of us!  The kindness of strangers…really amazing, isn't it?

We were able to get the spare on, and get home in time to salvage all the groceries (Praise the Lord!); and even though Isaac's schedule is to eat at 2 p.m., he didn't fuss at all that his meal was over an hour late.  I had TWO heros today – Doug and Isaac! =)

Doug took the tire to be patched, and they said they could even put it back on for him for about $10.  Whew!  But when he went to pay, they said, "Don't worry about it!" and sent him on his way!!!

God was just showing off for me today.  He knew that this week has not been easy for me.  We have been working really hard in the area of our finances, but sometimes the flesh just screams to be indulged.  We have been denying the flesh what it wanted, and the Lord has been paying attention. 

Today's blessings are just His little love notes to me.

I am reminded of the following verses from the first chapter of Ephesians {emphasis mine}:

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

He is a good God.  May I never take His blessing for granted!

Alesha