So many things distract us from our true calling in life. It's an easy way for the enemy to keep us headed down the wrong path, the path which though seemingly innocent doesn't line up with the purpose God has designed us for.
Take for example my recent attempt to sell on ebay. I figured I was a great buyer, so why not try selling? Well, though gifted in buying, it seems I should leave the selling to others. Not only did it rob me of 9 precious hours to list 12 items, I think I lost money on the deal. I guess I'll stick to buying and donate more to goodwill.
Many things in my life, though good, may not be right for me at the time. I'm still trying to figure out what the RIGHT thing is right now. I have so many interests and hobbies that I usually spread myself too thin. I'm trying to learn balance in all areas. Enter my current little dilema. On Saturday I have an opportunity to attend a 12 hour crop. It came up last minute and I have tons of photos to get in my albums, but I also have the chance to write for a couple of hours and with the ACFW conference coming in a couple of months, I'd really like to familiarize myself with my WIPS so I don't look like a complete idiot when someone asks me what I'm working on.
And then there's blogging? Talk about a distraction! I admit I've been on the computer way too much this summer, and it's gotten out of balance. I know I need to check my email a couple times a day, not a couple dozen, because when I do I get sucked into cyberspace and my kids end of watching too much television.
So how do you handle life's distractions? The "have to dos" and "want to dos" of life that keep you from the "meant to dos?" I think I'll be taking part of this weekend to reevaluate how I'm spending my time!
11 comments:
Okay, I have a stupid question (and I'm asking for all the world to see...brilliant). Yes, I know, no stupid questions, blah, blah, blah. I'm a beginning writer. Beginning in that I have only recently been thinking about the idea of publishing. So I'm attending my first writer's conference with the ACFW this fall. Here's the question: what in the world is WIPS?
You are going to LOVE ACFW and you'll probably be a bit overwhelmed. But don't worry! A WIP is a Work In Progress. It's what you're working on right now. If you'e not a member of ACFW I suggest you join and subscribe to the loop. It is a wealth of information.
Hope to see you there.
Ohhh, I always thought WIP stood for "Working In Pajamas." good thing you straightened me out, my bunny slippers were starting to make my feet sweat.
My biggest distraction is my church. I know, we're supposed to support our pastor. The hard part is convincing people that writing is an actaul ministry, especially with the advances the CBA pays.
Ron, in your case it does stand for "Working in Pajamas" since you tend to write in your sleep. Now about those bunny slippers...
I like what you said and I agree with you that so many things can distract us from God's true calling for us. I pray that God will help me "funnel" out the noise to only go down the path He has in mind for me.
Biggest distraction, hands down, is kids. My 14 year old always has some sports or social event and the 9 year old just wants Mom's attention. I try to play a game once a day at least three times a week with the 9 year old. All this takes away from my writing time, including work on my wip and my blog. Life definitely gets in the way!
I'm so with you! Someone suggested to me to set the timer before getting online. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I haven't done it yet. Life is so full of distractions.
Gina, you stinker! I looked up the post on my blog, and it was Y-O-U that suggested the timer! Now I'm really ashamed to admit I haven't done it yet.
--still looking for ways to keep the balance:)
Confession time. I haven't set the timer, either! Guess I should take my own advice.
Oh man, setting a timer for my online time...just the thought of it makes me feel guilty for how much time I know I spend there. Oh, and then there's my 7 month old baby. And my husband, who is also a stay-at-homer. And my scrapbooking stuff, which is still hanging out on the dining room table from the last party I hosted and calling my name. And the books I want to read. And the nap I'd really like to take since the aforementioned 7 month old still doesn't sleep through the night. *sigh* When someone figures out the secret to keeping about 6,735 plates all spinning at once, please let me know!
My distraction this summer has been blogging/writing, hands down. However, I have been able to do this because of the hazy, lazy days of summer. We have remained mostly unscheduled. My fear is what I'm going to do when that Fall schedule creeps in. I know that I'm going to have to make a way. One thing I do is that I wake up a bit earlier and go to bed a bit later, and no one is robbed. But I think that I need to do that, and then turn OFF the computer for a few hours, and then maybe back on at naptime (for the baby, of course, not me--I'd rather write than nap!). I'm going to put this into practice. God had been grabbing me, so thanks for putting it out there.
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