Making time for the things I want to do

The past few days have kind of been filled with ups and down.  The weekend started out with a lot of ups-  Alia's first sleepover, a sweet Christ-centered wedding, and the girls getting to go with "Nana & Papa Schu"  to see Disney's Princesses on Ice.  Which was then followed on Sunday by Ethan scratching Karaline's eye with a toy crown, a 3 hour trip to redi-med, and having to put eye drops in a screaming child multiple times. There was a sweet moment in the midst of it-  Alia writing a sweet little note to Karaline while she was crying that simply said, "God is with you."  It was one of those special mommy moments that calms your heart and brings a smile to your face.  Yesterday afternoon, after putting more drops in my sweet little screaming child, and struggling to get her down for a nap which I knew she desperately needed, I was feeling drained and was definitely feeling like I NEEDED to get my quiet time/devotions in.  I had a list a mile long of of other things that needed done, the usual things-  laundry, sweeping, mopping, supper, etc.  But I knew if I didn't make time sit and spend time with God, my cup would just keep leaking.  So, I sat down to read my Bible.  I've been reading Revelation, along with Philippians which we are studying in Sunday School, and had such a great reminder.  I know there are people out there who believe that God doesn't exist, and that He doesn't speak to us, but I had such a great reminder yesterday of how wrong that is. 

Revelation 22:1  Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Revelation 22:17  The Spirit and the bride say, ..."Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. 
Philippians 3:12-14  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

It was another reminder that I needed, to keep coming to Christ, and to forget about the mistakes I have made, the places I've fallen short, and just look ahead to Christ and do the best I can.  I'm sure many of you other moms out there can relate to being in "survival mode."  I feel like I'm going day-to-day.  I am typically able to get my normal things done-  until something "extra"  gets thrown in there, then I have to step back, re-think and re-adjust my plan.  I think part of why I've been so drained lately-  physically and spiritually is because of being in survival mode.  I haven't been making time for the things I want to do, because I'm afraid to throw "my system"  out of whack.  This, unfortunately, has included my quiet time.  So, my goal, in looking ahead, is to let go of some of the things on my "to-do list"...let some of THOSE things wait " 'til later" , and make time for more of the things I want to do.  Like devotions,  or playing a game of Candy Land with the girls...whatever it may be.  I'm anxious to see what God will be saying to me today!  What has God been saying to you lately??!!