Author: Jeannie Waters

What Are Your Time Gobblers?

Jeannie Waters12 Comments on What Are Your Time Gobblers?

I’m writing about gobblers today–not the ones we see at Thanksgiving–but the mischievous time gobblers. These pesky critters lurk around flashing neon signs to distract me. Did you know they wear costumes? Yes, they camouflage themselves to hide in my agenda.

Time gobblers often dress in communication garb with accessories like text messages and phone calls. Some of them masquerade as computer or cell notifications. Others disguise themselves as those alluring store flyers with “SALE ENDS FRIDAY” and nest in my mailbox.

When I walk through my house, more of these nuisances demand attention-swallowing valuable moments. A wilting plant, a card to mail, a stained shirt, a crooked lampshade, and, as the king in the musical “The King and I” said, “Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.”

I start each day with intentions of productivity, but some days, as soon as I gain momentum, WHAM! The time-chomping pests attack and I’m off-task.

Sometimes human need intervenes and we must decide if the request for our time is one that requires attention then, later, or if it should be a matter of prayer only. “Interruptions” could be God-appointed and result in blessings for another person or for us.

What do your time gobblers look and sound like? And how do you conquer them? How do you stay on track and focus on what’s most important?

Sometimes when I’m bombarded with distractions and numerous options for time use, it’s difficult to distinguish between good choices and the best choice. I’m asking God to help me use time for His glory as He reveals His will. I want to choose wisely.

In Tyranny of the Urgent by Charles E. Hummel, the author differentiates between the urgent and the important. He warns that seemingly urgent tasks may rob us of the opportunity to meet an important goal. 1

Mr. Hummel poses the question, “What was the secret of Jesus’ ministry?” The thought captured my attention.

I considered how Jesus took time to speak with the woman at the well, to visit with Zacchaeus in his home, to heal the lame, and to feed the crowd. However, as the author pointed out, Jesus did not instantly meet the needs of all who clamored for His attention (Mark 1:35-39, John 11:1-6) but remained focused on the Father’s will.

Near the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus said to His Father,

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

John 17:4

I long to accomplish the work God gives me to do, to have my plans aligned with His. Isn’t that your desire as well? Let’s ask ourselves these questions:

  • What gifts did God give me for His glory?
  • How can I use each twenty-four-hour period to honor Him?
  • Am I caring for my physical, emotional, and spiritual health?
  • Am I wasting time or using it to honor Christ daily as I balance rest and activity?
  • How can I know God’s will for me?

The following verse demonstrates a practice of Jesus:

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Mark 1:35

Jesus prayed at various times of day. For us, reading God’s Word and praying as early as possible are advantageous when we’re seeking daily guidance. Would you like some encouragement on this topic? Here’s a promise:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Psalm 32:8

As the holidays approach, let’s consider how His will might differ from ours. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to approach the next three months filled with the peace of Christ as we seek His will and use time wisely?

Please share the ways you plan your days or tell us about a time when God’s plans differed from yours. Until we meet again, watch out for those time gobblers!

1Hummel, Charles E. Tyranny of the Urgent. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994.

Are You a Builder?

Jeannie Waters8 Comments on Are You a Builder?

September 11, 2001

Americans mourn the events of that day but look forward with hope.

After teaching English to high school second language learners, I heard a co-worker mention a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. Surely she is mistaken, I thought as I called my husband while traveling to the next school. He confirmed the horrific news.  

For several days, tears rolled down my cheeks during the Pledge of Allegiance and the music of our national anthem. I choked back sobs for the country I love and for fellow citizens who’d lost loved ones. Sympathy pooled in the eyes of my teenage students whose families immigrated to my homeland.

Terrorists cause earth-shaking destruction by implementing their evil plots, but other people can provoke varying degrees of devastation. Criminals puncture the sense of security in the lives of victims. Those in positions of authority can erode confidence by lashing out with impatience at those who hinder progress or lack understanding. Apathetic individuals withhold respect and assistance for needy souls.

Our words, facial expressions, actions, or indifference can either crack the foundation of someone’s joy or add bricks to their wall of hope.

As patriots, we honor heroes as well as families who were forever changed by 9-11. If we are to follow in the footsteps of those heroes, we must focus on protecting and caring for our fellow man.

As individuals, we can help build a strong nation by seeking God as we edify families, friends, churches, workplaces, and communities one person at a time. Paul instructed believers:  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

In his 1989 inaugural address, President George H. W. Bush encouraged Americans to extend a helping hand, and he compared American volunteers to “a thousand points of light.” Christ followers can share the Light of the world by holding forth the gospel as they build relationships and tell the good news of salvation.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 ESV

As we reflect on the events of September 11 and ponder our role in blessing others, let’s ask these questions:

  • Do my words and actions destroy or build up the people in my life?
  • Do I reflect Christlike love and concern as I interact with others?
  • Is someone near me longing to hear the gospel and experience the peace of Christ?
  • Does an acquaintance need job counseling or parenting skills or friendship?
  • Would a young person benefit from the guidance of an experienced elder?
  • Am I a builder?
  • Which construction tools has God placed in my hands?

Meditating on the following verses will strengthen our resolve to be builders in our communities as we share Christ and His love:  

3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:3-5

Have you observed a builder recently? Please share examples of ways we can reflect the light of Christ and strengthen relationships. Has someone pointed you toward biblical truth?

What joy fills our hearts when we edify those we meet!

Change Someone’s Day by Noticing

Jeannie Waters21 Comments on Change Someone’s Day by Noticing

My friend’s day changed when someone noticed.

Angela, a young wife and mother of three, gave me permission to share her recent online post:

To the mama in the Target parking lot that saw me struggling to unload three kids and yelled across the parking lot, “You’re doing great, Mama,” thank you for seeing me. To the mama in Chick-Fil-A who helped me lug my crew out to my van, thank you for seeing me. To the mama in Kroger who offered to give me a hand grocery shopping with my kiddos, thank you for seeing me. To each of these mamas, thank you for seeing me and for challenging me to take the time to see others struggling the same ways I do every day. I see you.

After reading Angela’s post, I asked myself these questions:

  1. When I’m in a hurry, do I avert my eyes as if a struggling person didn’t exist?
  2. With a judgmental attitude, do I assume the person brought the situation on herself by making poor choices?
  3. Do I wish someone else would help instead of me?
  4. Am I sensitive to the Holy Spirit about when to offer help and when to pray? (Every need I observe is not God’s call for direct ministry.)
  5. Do I look for opportunities to obey the following verse?

Be kind to one another.

Ephesians 4:32

Jesus paid attention to individuals. I imagine Him establishing eye contact which conveyed kindness, unconditional love, and acceptance for those He met. Perhaps He stopped on dusty roads or turned around in the marketplace to honor the lonely with a kind smile. We know that He visited with a leper (Mark 1:40-45), the sick (Matthew 8:1-4), the lame (John 5:2-9), and a woman at the well who was ignored by others (John 4:4-26).   

In our effort to be more Christlike, let’s consider three ways Jesus paid attention to the needs of others and demonstrated kindness.

Meeting a Physical Need

In John 6 we read that Jesus realized the crowd of 5,000 grew hungry as they listened. With five loaves of bread and two fish, He fed the multitude. We could offer physical help by providing food, taking an ill person to medical appointments, or participating in a ministry project.  

Sharing Time with Others

Matthew 19 reveals the way Jesus took time to notice children and spend time with them. Time is valuable. Spending it wisely by ministering to other people demonstrates the way we value them. Being ignored provokes feelings of desperation, lack of self-worth, and loneliness. A kind word or smile can speak volumes. Complimenting a custodian on the shiny floors or a clerk for efficient service could make their day brighter.

Teaching Someone about Salvation in Christ

In Mark 2 we read that Jesus conversed with Levi, who was a despised tax collector in need of a relationship with God. As the Holy Spirit leads, we can share our story of following Christ and lead others to His saving grace. Establishing relationships with others can pave the way to fruitful conversation.

Of course, in potentially dangerous situations, the wise choice may be to pray for the person and perhaps seek help from a safe source. We need guidance from the Holy Spirit to know when to pray and when to act as we pray.

Let’s ask God to send opportunities this week to notice, to extend kindness, and to pray for others. This post will become more valuable as you share your thoughts or experiences. Won’t you post a comment?

Thank you, Angela Scully, for sharing your story.

Finding Joy in the Mud Puddles of Life

Jeannie Waters14 Comments on Finding Joy in the Mud Puddles of Life

What can you see in a mud puddle? Maybe the answer depends on the angle of your view.

Following suggested activities in Soul Care for Writers by Edie Melson1 I took pictures of various nature scenes including reflections in water. The only water available at the time I chose to snap pictures was a mud puddle. (My husband’s truck creates a depression in the ground when he turns his truck around to position it on the driveway.)

Recent rainwater filled the crater and offered clear reflections. I took a picture, then walked around the puddle and snapped photos from different angles. The reflection changed each time.

Angle One

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My first view stirred an emotional response—that of disgust at the eyesore of a rut and impatience with my husband, who had not yet filled the hole with dirt so that grass could grow there once again. The mud puddle glared like a blight on my otherwise perfect view of the lawn.

Rather than appreciating the iridescent-winged dragonfly that hovered nearby, I assessed the water as a mosquito-breeding pool. Instead of enjoying surrounding beauty, I stared at the hole. A missed opportunity for joy!

How like the trials and inconveniences of life! When I focus on them, they can rob me of joy and turn smiles into frowns or peace into worry. The following verse shows us how to focus:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8

Angle Two

When I moved around the puddle to snap a shot from another angle, I noticed the reflection of trees, the pine giants I ignored before. Their reflection drew my gaze upward to their tops framed by puffy white clouds in the brilliant blue sky.

When I tilted my head upward, my line of sight included a higher, more beautiful picture. I confessed my grumbling to the Lord, who changed my bad attitude to one of prayer, praise, and joy as He directed me to consider His goodness rather than my irritation.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:2

Angle Three

When I changed positions again and placed my back to the sun, I saw my own shadow. Sunlight created an image of me in the water.

God created us in His image. Once we accept Christ as Savior, we become His image-bearers in this world. Sometimes my attitudes and actions do not represent Him well and require confession of sin. What a blessing that He loves me and continues conforming me to the image of Christ Jesus (Romans 8:28-30).

What view of Him do others see reflected in my life? Which Christ-like qualities shine in my relationships and in my circumstances?

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him.

Genesis 1:27

Just like the ugly duckling became a swan in the famous children’s story, the unsightly mud puddle became a beautiful illustration for biblical truth. As the angle changed on my view of the hole in my yard, the Lord graciously helped me to notice Him as He filled my heart with joy.

By the way, the rut remains, and I still don’t like it. However, I will wait patiently until my husband has time to repair it. In the meantime, after rain showers, you may see me peering into a mud puddle to see what additional lessons God wants to teach me. 

Have you seen a time when an unsightly view or circumstance led to a joyful heart? Have you been encouraged by a Christian who is filled with joy even when life is hard? Please share how God has changed your view of life’s “mud puddles.”

1 Soul Care When You’re Weary by Edie Melson is for anyone who needs to slow down and soak up the peace God intended us to have. Soul Care for Writers is addressed to writers and other creatives. Both books contain devotions, prayers, and easy creative activities that will delight even the non-crafty among us. Let me know if you have questions about either book.

Are You Thirsty?

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During the flood of 1994 our city water supply failed. Tropical Storm Alberto lambasted the panhandle of Florida and then collided with a cold front from Alabama to produce three days of lingering thunderstorms in our area. As a result, our river escaped its banks and swamped the water treatment plant.

Cars queued at fire stations for gallon jugs of water, and some of us (me!) washed clothes in three surrounding counties. Shampooing hair and washing hands required extreme conservation. And of course, we all wanted to drink more water than usual.

Have you experienced unquenchable thirst when water is unavailable? Maybe it’s temporarily turned off for plumbing repairs, or perhaps you received the “No food or drink after midnight” order prior to medical tests. The life-sustaining liquid seems to consume one’s thoughts when there is none.

Nothing will satisfy like water when we desire or need it.

However, sometimes when we need water, we don’t realize it. By the time we sense thirst, our bodies are already becoming dehydrated. Consistent intake of H2O enhances general health and system functions.

Just as drinking water throughout the day hydrates our physical bodies, ongoing communication with God keeps us spiritually in tune with Him. When we neglect to talk and listen to Him, our hearts and minds don’t function well.

Even quick prayers spoken in the middle of activity focus our attention on the One who longs to communicate with us.

Spending time with my heavenly Father in Bible study and prayer is my favorite way to start the day. However, I want my longing to be like that of the psalmist in the following verse:

As the deer pants for the water brooks,

so pants my soul for You, O God.

Psalm 42:1

Do you have that level of desire for Him? Or like me, do you sometimes let too much time slip by when your sole focus is work, problems, a current interest, or social media posts?

With physical thirst, we may experience a dry mouth and mental fog. Without regular conversations with God, we may become anxious, impatient, or forget that He is with us.

Keeping the line of communication open between our heart and God’s sharpens our focus on His truth and allows us to appropriate the blessings He offers. In prayer, we can praise God and rejoice in His presence, in addition to offering our requests.

He may guide us toward the right decision or calm our fretful heart. He may convict us of sin so that we can confess it and receive forgiveness. He may remind us of His great love for us or the truth of a Bible verse we need.  

My plan for drinking enough water for optimum health is to fill a quart container to drink before lunch. Then I add another quart of water for the afternoon and evening. This practice reminds me to take care of my physical health.

Frequent talks with God foster spiritual health. What prompts you to talk with God throughout the day? Do you plan specific times or have visual reminders? Would a prayer notebook or Scripture cards help? Playing hymns or praise songs at home or in the car draws our attention upward.

Twenty-five years ago, the flood of 1994 demonstrated our desperate need for the precious gift of water. Relationship with Christ Jesus offers daily refreshment through times of prayer. Are you thirsty for a deeper relationship with Him?

Let’s encourage each other by sharing how we quench our thirst for communication with God. What prompts you to pray? When do you pray? Please share in the comment section to help all of us.

And why not encourage someone you meet today with a promise of prayer for their needs?