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Wednesday, February 27, 2008

It's been one of those weeks - and it's only Wednesday. You probably know the kind. The kind of week when it seems it's one thing after another. The kind of week when every grocery store line I picked was the longest, when my computer and printer decided to declare who was the boss (and it wasn't me), and when the dog somehow found and destroyed a collection of dirty underwear. She truly is a non-discriminatory underwear eater - she enjoys them all.

My mind reverberated with the words, "I don't have time for this!" But that wasn't all, it actually started last week when a son (who shall remain nameless) started scratching his head.

No biggie. I scratch my head sometimes. He then went on a jazz band overnight trip and came home scratching more diligently. The weekend was busy as we were readying my husband to leave for Africa on Tuesday, but I did manage to find some dandruff shampoo to give him. It didn't work. By Saturday night he was physically miserable. He was itching all over, and even had a rash on his upper body.

Of course my mind thought "lice" last week, but I disregarded it. After all, how could MY son get lice. (Ooooo, pride is a bad thing) By Sunday I was searching the Internet for symptoms. Armed with photos and descriptions, I was like a drill sergeant inspecting the troops. I didn't see any of the wee beasties, but I did find some suspicious white things. A Monday morning stop by the school nurse confirmed my suspicions, and my son and I went back home to attack the hitchhikers on his head.

Let's just say I hope you never have to deal with this issue. It is very time consuming. Not only did we have to go buy the treatment, then administer the treatment, but we had to wash EVERYTHING he might have touched. His stuffed animals have never been so clean.

I did not have time for bugs!

Then today I caught myself and my selfish attitude when I almost didn't make an important phone call. I thought about making the call but then I automatically thought the same thing I've thought all week: "I don't have time for this." The phone call was to a family member who had lost someone we all loved dearly. I almost rationalized not calling because my mom, sister and I sent a plant, and I had a card.

Thankfully God convicted me before the thought had time to cool in my mind, and I picked up the phone. Unfortunately it seems I often struggle with my time. I find it difficult to balance running a home and a business, mothering five children, supporting my husband's work and calling,working for a ministry, volunteering at church and writing. There are days when I don't do any of it very well and get very stressed out about my lack of accomplishment.

But then God reminds of a very important truth - just like He did this morning. I may not have time for everything, but I need to make time for somethings. My pastor once said, "Only two things on this earth last eternally: God's Word and people."

I guess I need to re-evaluate a successful day, and put a check on my thoughts. If an interruption involves people, then perhaps it's not all bad. Maybe God is opening the door for me to love someone who is having a week just like mine - or worse. I sure have time for that.

In His Love,

Glynnis

This devotion is dedicated to my aunt Peggy Benson who went home to be with the Lord last week. Peggy was dearly loved by all of us. She was a model wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. She had a kind and gentle spirit, and yet had an inner core of strength that brought peace and comfort to those around her. She was my father's older sister, and together with their brother John they were raised by a widowed mother in Utica, New York in the Welsh part of town. Aunt Peggy will be sorely missed.

9 comments:

Sandy said...

My sympathy and prayers are with you and Peggy's family. I too get caught up in the trap of "I don't have time for this!" One of my greatest struggles has been to realize that people are more important than projects and I need to make the time or prioritize my time so that I have a right focus. With the Lord's guidance I am learning to be about His business more than my own. He is helping me to see the difference between what is eternal and what is temporal. He is also gracious enough to teach me balance along the way. Thank you for this reminder, it was needful. Blessings on your day!

Celly B said...

In the busyness of our lives, this post is a great reminder about what should really be high on our priority list. Thanks!

Amy Wyatt said...

Thank you for the reminder that people are not an interruption! I have thought several times this week that I need to send cards to a few people who are going through tough times... then I never found the time to do it. Maybe God is prompting me because those people need to know that someone was thinking of and praying for them. It's not enough just to think about it... but to act on it instead of rationalizing about our time. Our time is not really ours anyway. Thanks for the transparency! Also, Sorry you had to go through all that treatment and cleaning stuff. Not fun!

Charlene Kidd said...

Glynnis,
I can totally relate to everything you shared. Thanks for putting it into words.
I have been struggling with balance these day too.
Blessings,
Charlene

Michelle said...

It can be such a struggle to balance everything effectively. Your post was a great reminder that I must make time to call people with whom I have been out of touch. Lately, I have too often said, "I do not have time to do that today." When I focus on not having time instead of making the time, a day can turn into a week or a month.

I hope your husband has a safe trip to Africa. I will keep your family in my prayers.

Amy Wyatt said...

Glynnis,
Thanks for stopping by my site. I wanted to touch base again about your book. I sent you my email address, but I wasn't sure if you got the info. I would love to talk to you about some of our struggles with epilepsy, but I wasn't sure what form you wanted the info in. Do you need something already written (stories you might include) or are you doing interviews? I am attending She Speaks so maybe we can talk more then if you don't need the info before then,...or if you you need something already written out, I can do that too if you are still interested. Thanks.

Jodie Wolfe said...

I'm so sorry for your loss Glynnis. Sounds like you have been having a rough week. Just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that things calm down and run smoothly while your husband is gone. I pray for peace and comfort that only our Heavenly Father can provide.
Blessings,
"Pearls"

Celly B said...

Glynnis,
I've tagged you! I thought it might be an opportunity for you to show off some of those pretty magazine holders and fild folders. Check out my latest post when you get a chance.

Amy L Brooke said...

I'm sorry for your loss. I will pray for your family.

Sorry also to hear about the lice situation. At least it didn't get passed from child to child . . . ?

I worked in the foster care system for a number of years. I had a set of siblings that couldn't get rid of it. Honestly, they had it for months. Then it would be gone and come back. The foster parent did EVERYTHING imaginable. I think it eventually took 3 doses of a prescription treatment . . . .

I am fairly kid friendly, and these kids enjoyed me. So, they sat close and hugged me and were generally starved for affection. Every time I went, I said a prayer the "hitchhikers" wouldn't jump over to me. I had a friend good enough to periodically check for me. Honestly, the power of suggestion made my head itch . . . .