I say it about 87 times per day. “First things first.”
In the morning it’s to my daughter who would rather sing to herself in the mirror instead of brushing her teeth. At lunch it’s to my son who would rather feast on sweets instead of his PB & J.
But I need the phrase myself. I constantly choose how to spend my time. We all do, I suppose. And I want to keep my priorities straight.
So I whisper it under my breath. I ask Him to reveal the “first things” — the needed things. Then I weigh my options for that particular moment, holding them up next to my list:
Things I tend to first…My heart before God.
My calling to my family.
My calling in our home.
My calling beyond our four walls.
Some days the toilets may not get scrubbed in order for me to spend time writing. Or I may choose the slice-n-bake over the made-from-scratch. But I try to remember, “first things first.” And He faithfully guides.
Fill me, Lord…
What phrase or word do you repeat to yourself to help keep your priorities straight?
How have you struggled in the day-to-day to keep first things first?
“Lord, help my faith”. “Focus please”. “Show me what to do Lord”.”Important – yes or no”.
“Important – yes or no.” I like that.
BALANCE.
Isn’t that the struggle. Show us what to lay down and what to pick up, Lord.
Thank you. Just beautiful.
I am yogic breathing, keep balance Jolene. The skein of yarn unravels quickly when I mess with my walk with the Lord, my submission to Jim, my ministry to my children, and then…all the other good, Godly stuff.
Deep breathing definitely helps me too. Especially when tension rises. Love to you, friend.
Listen to the August 30 message – it is exactly on this. Great stuff.
http://www.livingontheedge.org/home/broadcasts/listen-online-daily.php
Be still and know.
It’s not about you, Alle.
Be a blessing.
You are God – I am not.
“More of You, less of me” or “You must increase, I must decrease”
Now I am trying to think of something to say to myself… recently it’s been something like “You’ve got this, God!” — I like reading all of the comments! This was a great post. Thank you!
I like reading all the comments too! I’m making mental notes of some of these phrases.