Today is Friday, and that means Preparation Day for the Sabbath beginning tonight. Fridays can arrive with two personas, it seems … the first, the joyful persona of anticipation, preparing our big Sabbath feast, and wrapping everything up from the work week. Those are my favorite Fridays. The second (and more common than I would like) is the panicky persona of impending doom, as I contemplate my never- ending “to do” list with not nearly enough crossed off it.
If it is one of those Fridays, the temptation is huge to develop a migraine and crawl back into bed, LOL.
Panicky Friday can be flipped to Joyful Anticipation Friday however, and the biggest flip has to take place in my own head. It all comes down to a matter of perspective. *smile*
Realization One: A completed “to do” list with everything neatly scratched off is an illusion. The work and the urgency will never stop. That is part and parcel of living on this side of heaven (Gen 3:17-19). So when it starts screaming at me, I calmly tell it to shush, and continue on with the next thing. A body can only do what they can do, after all. When the work day is done, then, close the daytimer, shut the list, turn off the computer, sign out of email – whatever it is that is screaming – and send a prayer of thanks to God for whatever did get accomplished that day. And if I remember, adding a request for help with the rest of it come Sunday. A successful Panicky Friday flip with end with time spent with my loved ones.
Realization Two: When I notice a pattern of disturbed calm, I know I am not spending enough time alone with Jesus, with the world and the to do list shut out. I don’t know how it happens, but spending more of my precious time alone with my Abba Daddy extends my hours and my productivity when I do turn my attention to that demanding list.
Martin Luther was a wise man. ♥
Thank you so much! I think George Mueller had a similar saying. I’ll have to go looking for it. ♥
Oh if you find it, I would love to have George Mueller’s quote! I have another good one from Dr. Ben Carson and a few others … I would like to make a quotes post to follow up on this! <3
I can definitely agree with you on these points, especially as one new to Sabbath keeping…or attempting to keep because I am the only one in my family at this time convicted in this area. Thank you for the great tips!