It's back to school time.
The buses will be running again down our side street every morning and every afternoon. I don't need an alarm clock since those diesel engines are always noisy enough to get my attention. And they signal the close of the school day.
It doesn't feel like school weather-wise. We still have another month of summer left, technically according to the calendar, and here in North Texas, we'll have summer temps for another month after summer has officially given way to autumn.
Yesterday I could hear the high school band practicing up the road from our home. (We happen to live in the school zone between the yellow flashing lights where you have to slow down to 20 mph.)
Of course, my kids continued to enjoy their summer sleep despite the advice of getting up earlier to acclimate to the new early morning school schedule so they don't feel like zombies on the first day.
Even though I've been a good example to them getting up at the time I normally would on a school day (not that they've seen me; I just brag ;)). One advantage to an earlier rise time: getting more work done around the house. Crossing off more things on my 'to do' list.
But, do you know what I discovered? I've made a habit of defining my day by what's on my agenda and what appointments are on my schedule. I've found myself waking up in the morning and thinking, OK, what do I have to do today? Within a short time, I'm verifying appointments in my book to make sure I don't forget where I need to be and when.
I'm always relieved when I see a blank space. Aahhh, open territory. Can stay home and get stuff done.
But, like my husband always reminds me, when I wake up in the morning, I need to think about what I want to do. What is my purpose for today? What are my life goals?
Life is not just about work. In fact, instead of thinking in the living to work mindset, I need to think about working to live. I need to define my days by what I want to accomplish. What activity leaves me feeling satisfied?
I realize that each day brings a certain amount of time to it, and I want to be a good steward of every minute. Today, there is a purpose for my time. It's up to me to discover and renew that purpose.
If I don't start my day with that renewed purpose in mind, my time gets filled with activity that isn't necessarily what is best. Sometimes I feel like I'm going around in circles, wasting precious energy that could be used toward better, more creative pursuits, ones that move me forward and give me that sense of knowing I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. That space when I'm in my element and feel good about what I've accomplished.
It says in Ecclesiastes 3:1, To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.
There is a time for work, a time for leisure, and a time for family. And most of all, time with the Creator, the One who created time.
That is why I seek Him in how I can be the best steward of my time every day.
Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
What is your purpose today?
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