Every Tuesday we engage in one big question, topic or idea. You are invited to write in with a suggestion you want to share. I surely do not have all the answers but know that together we can generate some great conversation and have fun in the process. (Feel free to post your topics, questions, and your great thoughts in the comments below!) Together, we will stay informed and equipped about topics that matter!
Today’s Blog Contributor:
Katie Rogers
My name is Katie Rogers. I live in Forks, Washington and currently work at Forks Hospital. I’m currently working on being credentialed through the Assemblies of God. I co-teach a Sunday school class and lead Women’s Bible study. I also serve on the Women’s Team for the Northwest Ministry Network as Leader for the Olympic Area.
Balancing the Boat
Do you ever find yourself feeling tossed to and fro? Do you have so much on your plate that you feel like you are drowning in the ocean of life? I think this happens to be the case with each of us at one point or another. No one is left out. We constantly hear the word balance tossed around and we are always trying to apply this reality in our lives.
With everything in our lives we need balance, no area is exempt. So what are some areas and ways we can apply this?
Burdens
We are mothers, sisters, friends, and someone’s child amongst many other things. With each of the roles we choose or are applied to our lives carry a weight, a possible burden. We can take these on and we allow them to consume us sapping the life right out of us or we can hand them to God.
Picture that you are in a boat in the middle of a lake. The water is rough and the boat is rocking. When we take on burdens we attempt to stand up in the boat, take control. This leads us to rock the boat even more than it already is. Yet when we give it to God and stay seated He calms the storm. He takes our burdens. We bring balance to our lives when we put every burden into God’s hands, letting Him calm the boat.
Time
We also see imbalance in our time commitments. So what truly needs to happen in our day? I find I require quality time with the Lord first thing in the morning. Some days I get a solid block of time other days just a few minutes. I fill this with prayer, a devotional when I have one or with the Bible. This starts my day right and prepares me for the rest of my day.
How are you prioritizing your day? Are you listening to the Holy Spirit’s promptings?
Fellowship
I need fellowship. You need fellowship. This comes in many forms – work, at church and friend therapy through exercise, small group, etc. I really believe my friend therapy helps me take care of myself. This companionship helps ward off depression, boosts my self-esteem and is a great support when I need it. Are you connecting with Christians who uplift you, encourage you and motivate you in spiritual matters, physical activity and daily life?
Being Active
We have a great group of ladies at Forks Assembly of God that are active and we all help each other with encouragement and support. We not only have fellowship but we push each other in our fitness goals, spiritual endeavors and in our personal lives.
We start our day with Jesus. We connect with Him and start our day out right. We spend time with our families and take care of those within our household and that leaves us with the need to be physically active. Take time for a walk, cross training or getting in a game of basketball with a group of ladies. This gives you opportunity for spiritual, emotional and physical support.
Time
We are all busy, multitasking at its best. Do we really need to do it all? In the process are we doing enough? Is it good for us to be spread so thin? Absolutely not! Our time is spread between time with Jesus, family, friends, work, and physical pursuits. So where do we start? Start with Jesus. That time with Him each day impacts us greatly. Next we must give priority to our families, focus on the people within our four walls. This leaves us to add in the other aspects of life after we’ve taken care of our daily time with Christ and our family.
That leaves us to truly invest in the moments we are given. If we are with family or friends are we giving them all of us? Or are we texting someone else while giving only part of us to those right in front of us. We must focus on one thing at a time, giving it our all. Be present, be mindful.
As we learn what’s important to us and we give each place in our lives the proper priority we learn to balance it all. We keep the boat steady and the waters calm.
What do you think?