joyfully abundant priorities

There are certain words that make my heart pound. Library. Bible study. Notebook. Meal planning. Chocolate. Organizing. Sewing.

And "priorities". I was first introduced to the concept of a godly woman's priorities way back in the mid-80's when I read the book Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman. This book introduced me to day planners, priorities and life management. My copy is beat up and highlighted. I loved this book even as a teenager. (I know, I know, I'm a nerd.)

Fast forward to the late nineties when A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George came out. Same concept. More in-depth.

As I have prayed over the years, my priorities for my life have become more and more clear. I know what they are and I hope my life is becoming more and more in line with them. I plan to blog about the priorities I have chosen to live by.

Priority #1 - my relationship with God
Priority #2 - my relationship with my husband
Priority #3 - my relationship with my children
Priority #4 - my home
Priority #5 - taking care of myself
Priority #6 - extended family and friends
Priority #7 - ministry
Priority #8 - my hobbies

For me, these priorities are a guide in helping me choose how to spend my time.  They are not a legalistic set of rules.  I feel quite sure that if in the middle of my quiet time my house catches on fire, I'm not going to say, "Well, my first priority is God - so let me finish up with my quiet time and then I'll get out of the house."  These priorities help me to evaluate my time, attention, and focus.  They help me to make decisions and guide me in when to say NO.

Occasionally, a priority may temporarily change place with another.  For example, sometimes priority #5 temporarily becomes (dare I say) #1.  When I have allowed myself to get rundown physically and am not feeling well, I will take a day to rest.  This doesn't happen often.  Too often I'm feeling rundown because I have allowed my priorities to get out of whack.  So, I will stop.  Rest.  Recover.  Then I am able to respond with joy to my abundantly busy life and the priorities and plans God has for me.