Chapter 8 – Simplifying – Part 1

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Exercise 1: What Matters to Me

Make a list of the top ten things that are important in your life. This list doesn’t have to be in any particular order of importance. Just write down ten things that really matter to you. Afterwards, you may go back and prioritize them.

I’ve been thinking on this question since Sunday. And I don’t know. I think it would be easier to write down the things that don’t matter. You know – the process of elimination. I had hoped by reading the chapter, I would have some insight into what is important to me. Not really. And then I thought about what should be important to me. And found myself lacking. I hate when you ask a person a question and you get the “right” answer instead of the “true” answer. When it is obvious their kids are not a high priority, but they would claim it… Makes me gag. People buy huge houses, expensive cars, nice clothes all in order to go to a job, or three that pays for all of those things. My beef is that people have children so that other people can raise them which of course means more money needed and so you work more in order to spend less time with the kids. Snarky at 5:45am? YEP! You bet!

So, I’m trying to prioritize appropriately … At least I can have a top few.

1.      God

2.     Spouse

3.     Children

4.     Family

5.     Friends

6.     Books

7.     Music

8.     Drawing

9.     Writing

10. Performing, Acting, Preaching, MCing. Don’t know what to call it for sure. Leading? Speaking?

Now I’ll be honest … Currently, God is nowhere near the top. I’m further away from Him than ever and that’s after being closer to Him than ever only a couple of years ago. You know my children come before my husband. And they probably will until they’re out of the house… Family and Friends are likely near the bottom. Books and music are right near the top. The other three either become top priority if I have a project or become non-existent if I don’t. Then of course most everything is bumped entirely off the list by SELF. Notice house, car etc. aren’t even on there. A clean house means little to me ;)

Boy, I still feel like I’m being dishonest with that list. If someone were to follow me around for a week, what would they think was my top priority. Quiet time? Peace? Busyness so I don't have time to rest and think and connect?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali…

Matthew 4:13 (ESV)