Wise Women
The painting above is one I did as part of a table decoration for a ladies’ luncheon several years ago. No offense meant to men out there. It was just a decoration.
This season of the year is a super busy time. Getting kids back to school starts in August these days. Fall is a favored time for kicking off new projects at work or introducing new programs at church. Extra events fill our calendars. Special celebrations with family and friends create demands on our time and our emotions. Expectations beyond the norm bombard us at every turn.
Parents start planning the budget to include gift giving (if they are smart!). Catalogs inundate the mail, and ads for every conceivable toy or latest contraption flood technology streams. Kids start hinting about perceived ‘needs’ and outrageous wants
How do people cope? Especially women.
As traditional caregivers, we try to make everyone happy, accommodate everyone’s schedule, and fulfill every desire of those around us. With a full plate of activities, we still take another helping of responsibilities to make sure things get done effectively, correctly, and promptly. And like gorging on too much food, too many duties can overwhelm and make us sick.
Again, how are women supposed to cope?
Wise women take care of themselves by not overextending our precious resource of time. Giving our best may mean being with our loved ones in simple activities rather than planning extravagant outings that stretch the budget and wear our nerves too thin.
Wise women think through the holidays and consciously decide what is important. Map out the schedules, get family members’ input, and agree that any changes will be run through proper channels (aka Mom). Take time to spend quality moments with those who are most precious. Life is short. Choose wisely.
By setting a budget for gifts, extra food, and activities, there will not be panic at the end of the year or when the bills are due in January. Realize it is not necessary to buy everybody and their dog a gift. Fewer, well thought-out gifts are more meaningful in the long run.
These are simple bits of practical wisdom.
Determine to find peace and joy in the chaos. Have fun! Don’t get upset if things don’t go according to schedule. Improvise when necessary with a sweet spirit.
Most importantly, there is much truth in the simple ‘Wise Women Still Seek Him’ statement. Keeping Christ in the center of our lives will make all the difference. At the beginning of each day, offer God the activities and ask whatever is done will be for His glory. Pray everyone will see Christ’s love in all our words and deeds.
In the hectic times, find time to read and meditate on a devotional. Choose a scripture verse and do the same. Here’s a start.
Joseph found that Mary was pregnant and was in a quandary. God sent the answer via an angel. Matthew 1:18-24 TLB ‘Joseph, son of David,’ the angel said, ‘don’t hesitate to take Mary as your wife! For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (meaning ‘Savior’), for He will save His people from their sins. This will fulfill God’s message through His prophets – ‘Listen! the virgin shall conceive a child! She shall give birth to a Son, and He shall be called, ‘Emmanuel’ (meaning ‘God is with us’).’ When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel commanded.’
May we realize that truly God is with us.
Blessings
Kara Beth
