Too much to do.....

Psalm 61:1-8 
   Hear my cry, O God,
     listen to my prayer;
² from the end of the earth I call to you
    when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
    that is higher than I,
³ for you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy.

⁴ Let me dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
⁵ For you, O God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

⁶  Prolong the life of the king;
    may his years endure to all generations!
⁷ May he be enthroned forever before God;
    appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

⁸ So will I ever sing praises to your name,
    as I perform my vows day after day.

Sometimes I feel like I'm on a merry-go-round that I can't stop. There is so much to do and I never seem to make headway.
The list includes:
•writing [blog, book, lectures, encouraging notes]
  •books to read—fiction, biographies, books on Bible topics, tea time books, recipe books, craft books, photography books, gardening books, and so on—I love to read.
    •Bible study to do and prepare for
       •gardening—cleaning, planting, watering, weeding, fertilizing
           •read the paper
               •magazines to read
                  •new recipes to try
                       •sewing—I love to sew
•Spending time with family and friends [praying for them, encouraging them, loving them]
[Please know that I do love doing everything on that list]

And then did you ever think about all the things we "should" do for ourselves in a day, or week, or month....
•have my devotions
  •pray for hours or at least minutes
    •exercise for 1 hour
      •sleep for 8 hours
        •drink 10 glasses of water
          •brush and floss my teeth at least twice daily
            •take a walk every day
              •call my kids
                •brush my hair 100 strokes (just to let you know, that has never, ever happened)
                  •housekeeping—that is one thing I don't enjoy BUT I love a clean, uncluttered house so
                        am frustrated in that area
                    •de-clutter the garage, storage room, laundry room, office, stamp room, bedroom
                     •do exercises to keep my mind active [after all I don't want to let my mind go]
                       •do something relaxing just for me

And the list goes on, and on, and on.

So what do I do???  I get busy and do what I can while I remind myself of my God....and His Word.....from memory

Psalm 23

 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
³     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.

⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
     forever.

Oh, how knowing Psalm 23 in my heart helps.  Just repeating the words brings a feeling of quietness, a sense that what is important is HIM and His presence—not the stuff of everyday. It is not what I do but where I abide—Who I think about, and who He leads me to....to love, to encourage, to pray for.  

And now for a fun thing....want a big help in memorizing verses....in practicing for real?

  Try this: Scripture Typer
 

If you go there, you will find a great place to learn, practice and master verses by typing them over and over.  I am learning the Sermon On The Mount (relearning in ESV) with Ann VasKomp— if you click on the "Sermon on the Mount" button on the right you can join in too.  Or you can learn other verses or sections of Scripture.  If you don't know Psalm 23.....start there.

Also want to suggest that you don't miss Ann today since she is talking about being still...... Great post and worth the read.

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
² but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

    and on his law he meditates day and night.

³ He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

Continuing to give thanks:

#361...babies to hold in nursery—6 weeks old....sleeping

#362...music, beautifully sung by the Moody Bible Chorale...Larry didn't fall asleep, he smiled

#363...Simeon Trust Workshop—challenging, insightful, convicting

#364...Chicago and Pizzeria Uno—Chicago Deep Dish Pizza—where it all began

#365...warm, warm days in Colorado in March

#366...garden clean up—finding once again the sure promise of life

#367...surprises....new (used) bone china tea cups from a friend cleaning out

#368...fish in pond....orange, iridescent, bigger, enjoying life—along with one baby

#369...Sunday lunch with daughter...delightful conversation—Thai pineapple curry

#370...recovery from a "cold"

#371...ice cream cones

#372...memorized scriptures to comfort, relieve, and bring peace


#373..."enough" to share with others—help me Lord, to be generous

#374...barley ball to keep pond clean

#375...new seeds to plant—Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes

#376...a yard to work in with good soil


#377...water to "water" with

#378...lecture to prepare on "prosperity" and the conviction and truth that comes with it....Lord, give me wisdom

#379...mountain to look at everyday...this morning with sun on white snow and dark blue background—stunning reminder of what an amazing God You are

#380...things to do.....for your honor....for your glory