"...making the best use of the time..."

Sometimes when I get home from my day job, I feel like I'm so far behind in what needs to be done at home... sometimes it just takes getting one thing done to make me feel like I've accomplished something.

This morning I managed to get two bags of clothes dropped off at the Goodwill drop-box at Walmart, and took our empty formula containers to grandpa (he uses them for storage containers in the garage). Speaking of Goodwill - we stopped by there the other day and I found tan tap shoes for Victoria for $3 that are practically brand new - normally they are $28! She'll be taking a dance class in the fall and and one of the required items are tan tap shoes!

Last night my butterfly (pictured to the right) and I spent some "special time" together. I'm trying to be purposeful about giving her this kind of time, since I know that a lot of times it can feel to her like the baby gets all the attention. She helped me with laundry and dishes (she loves helping mommy with these chores) and then we played some educational web games together (spelling, math, etc...)


Another good deal we found was this cute summer hat for Allison. It fits her head perfectly - this picture doesn't do it or her justice, but it's the only one I've taken so far. We got it for $1.50 at the Clothesline Children's Consignment Store in Poquoson. It was my first time in and I LOVED it. She's worn this hat everyday this week, as grandma and I adore it on the cutie pie.

Finding time for my husband, my kids, my house, my friends and myself is such a challenge. And more importantly, and concerning, is that I consistently put off the time I should be spending with God. I am feeling more and more everyday that I must be purposeful with my time. I am reminded again of this verse...

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." ~Ephesians 5:15-17

I find that in the midst of this juggle of my time, I have little time to worry about other people hurting my feelings, petty squabbles other people are having, etc.... of course, I also realize more and more that I worry about things a lot more than I probably let on... some things will keeps me up at night, or I think about them in the car when it's quiet (ie. when the kids aren't in the car). This annoys me to no end, because once again, I feel like I have better things to do with my thoughts than to worry about why so and so treats me the way they do, or why such and such had to happen.

So how is God trying to teach me not to be a worrier? He has given me a little worry wart...


My sweet V terribly worries about things that are totally out of her control, like thunderstorms, jellyfish, and car accidents. I came to the realization that God had orchestrated perfectly this match of my daughter and I when she called me to her room the other night to tell me about her "bad dream" (actual definition: what she lays in bed worrying/imagining about)... I crawled in bed with her and asked her to tell me all about it...

"Mommy... I dreamed that we had my birthday party and we were the only ones there... none of my friends came to my party..."

My heart melted... my daughter should not be worrying about such things! And as I tried to comfort her and explain that she need not worry... I was reminded...

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." (Matthew 6:34, 'The Message' translation)