Friday, May 02, 2008

Photobucket Getting it all Done!

I've been pondering a question I hear often, "How do you do it all"?

For years my standard comeback to that question has been, "I don't do it all!" And that is a true statement. God has clearly taught me to carefully select those things to which I will commit. It must fit in with my mission statement (see profile), it must not take away from my prime ministry and responsibility at home, and Mike needs to support whatever it is that I'm doing......so I don't do it all. I don't do daytime Bible studies, I haven't spoken at a retreat in 3 years, I don't do homeschool co-ops, I do very few big field trips, we don't do a lot of sports......

However, increasingly I'm being given a list of what I do accomplish after giving my standard, "I don't do it all" answer......so apparently I do get quite a bit done...how?

Years ago Mike shared an illustration with me from a class he was taking. It came from the 7 habits man - is that Steven Covey? Take a cup.....fill it with water, pebbles, and big rocks...it will overlow .....take the same cup, same water and such....put the big rocks in FIRST, then the small pebbles, and then the water....it FITS.

I've learned to prayerfully define my BIG rocks....and to put them in the cup (my life) FIRST....then the little rocks and water fit in around the Big Rocks....though some of those little rocks do seem to try to grow into middle sized and big rocks if you don't keep track of them. ::snort::

I've shared my homeschool advice "do first things first"....so true in all of life. Those big rocks, first things.....must come first.....for me those are Bible study, Workout, School, Meals, Chapel things.....and then the little things fit....the problem comes when I try to make all the rocks Big Rocks...or when I fill up the a.m. with computer time, reading, phone conversations, etc and forget to put the Big Rocks in first. If I only remember to put the Big Rocks in first, on days when NOTHING else gets done...the BIG ROCKS, the FIRST THINGS are done! I can relax and try again tomorrow.

Seriously - blogging our daily life is nearing Big Rock proportion as it's a way to continue the relationships that are so important to us, our family and far off friends....but its still sort of a little/middle rock. The memes, book reviews, profound thoughts on gyms are little rocks....and this whole thing may make no sense when I read it without a migraine! ::snort::

Give it a try - keeping the illustration in mind has helped ME. And of course ANY THING I get done well is only by the GRACE OF GOD....who EQUIPS and ENABLES us to do what He CALLS us to do!

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11 comments:

Michelle said...

De'Etta, my spiritual director told me exactly the same thing. :) I'm a visual learner for this is a great image for me to keep in mind.

Linda said...

They used this illustration for the "kids' sermon" last month! They used no water, though (thankfully!), but they used pebbles and big rocks. They asked the kids about what they did to keep them busy..."school", "playing", "sports", etc...each time an answer was given, they put in a scoop of pebbles. And when they tried to put in the big rocks (designated at time for God and time for family - and I will NOT capitalize family the way the Army says I should, lol). They explained that the biggest rock, GOD, should always be first, and then family, and then all the other rocks will work their way around.

It really stuck with some of the kids. I love visual teaching examples!

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

LOL - those oldie but goodie illustrations really help for us visual learners.

I keep thinking "big rocks" what are they.......and thinking I may even get some to label and set them on my dresser. LOL

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Hey SCHEDULED posting works. I can write when I have time and schedule it to post later...this will be nice.

Renee said...

TESTING

Anonymous said...

well, you hit the nail on the head!

Can we do scheduled posting with blogger now and have it post automatically in the future??? I didn't think we could.

Herd Momma said...

Thanks for the reminder. I often get the same question. I had a lady yesterday say...'I was wondering what you did to deserve 3 boys.' I replied 'I was good. If I'd been bad he'd have given me girls!' I think my house and flibberdajibbitness drives my sister nuts. But, you know, I have more fun and I don't worry if the forks are in the right compartment and facing the right direction. If they are clean and then make it into the drawer....we throw a party!
Love ya' Thanks Blog Friend.

berrypatch said...

Thanks for posting this. I have been feeling guilty lately about how "busy" I appear to those around me. Many times I hear that same comment, "How do you do it all?" However, on my end it doesn't feel like a lot - typically. I do get done those things I have made time & priority for. Thanks, De'Etta. :-)

Anonymous said...

I loved reading that post, and the comments also. Gave me much to think about.
Regina Scott

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

LOL - I remembered this post today......when asked if I'd read something....no the date told me it was still a little rock. LOL

Cynthia said...

I do something similar, but surprise surprise.. I think in %'s (LOL)... I budget my time like I budget a checkbook, basically.