‘If things get tough – and they will – read these over and over and understand what they are telling you. You can do it – keep your eye on the future – not the present.’

I love you

Nana’

She attached an old newspaper clipping that said the following:

The Seven Habits
1. Be pro-active. You are responsible for your life. Decide what you should do and get on with it.
2. Begin with the end in mind. Think of how you want to be remembered at your funeral. Use this as a basis for your everyday behavior.
3. Put first things first. Devote more time to what’s important but not necessarily urgent.
4. Think win-win. Have an abundance mentality. Seek solutions that benefit all parties.
5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Don’t dive into a conversation. Listen until you truly understand the other person.
6. Synergize. Find ways to cooperate with everyone. Value the difference between people.
7. Sharpen the saw. Continually exercise and renew four elements of your self: physical, mental, emotional-social and spiritual.

I have referred to these habits all of my life. As I continue to hold these papers that are almost twenty years old and will continue to until my days come to an end, I pray that these habits will inspire you.

With the love from my Nana,
Nancy E. Hill

Luke 10:38-42

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

In this passage, we are seeing in clear view that Martha is missing the moment because of the tasks at hand.  She is so consumed with the preparations of the meal.  Martha was unable to keep her focus on Jesus because she was so frustrated with Mary. 

More times than not, I find myself being Martha.  Trying to juggle all of the responsibilities I carry.  Just as Martha, I work hard and I always have the best intention at heart but I can easily allow myself to have a ‘Martha Moment’.  As a reminder to my day, I have posted a sign in my office that says ‘Don’t Be Martha’.  So, that I can embrace the moment at hand to sit at the feet of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Thank you for taking the time to read,

Nancy E. Hill

I made my daughter look up the definition to the word ‘commitment’.  The definition to the word commitment is ‘the act of committing’ or ‘the state of being committed’.  The level of commitment can come in any garden variety!  However, for our household, commitment means you do what you mean and you mean what you say!  

With commitment, comes communication.  If any member of my family or I commit to anything, it goes on the calendar.  If we have a commitment, then we must communicate that commitment.  Each night, I check the calendar to make sure all is set for the next day.  We live by this rule because we live by commitment.  And we are able to function with our commitments with communication. 

If anyone in our family did not live by this, serious problems can occur.  The range of these problems from lack of commitment or lack of communication is so broad; this blog cannot list all of it! 

However, in a simple form, look at an activity in PEACH.  When a sponsor plans an activity, much time and planning goes into this.  The sponsor picks the location, contacts the appropriate person for planning, contacts the committee to setup for the PEACH calendar, completes a write up for the newsletter, comes to PEACH meetings in advance to take registrations and/or monies, then attends the fun activity.  WOW!  That is allot of commitment and communication!  Imagine when you have a registration not show up or call to let you know of a delay or unable to come to your activity.  The ripple effect.  Another family could have had that spot, the tour guide/location has frustration with the group and the feelings of the sponsor that put all of this hard work into this activity – it can be hurtful or frustrating. 

While life happens and changes must be adjusted, sometimes our commitments need those changes and adjustments as well.  And as long as we all stay in communication, we can all stay in joy, compassion and love of one another. 

Commitment and communication, two words that should be in our vocabulary through all the days of our life. 

For anyone who truly knows me, I am generally very organized and always prepared.  For me ‘to put something off’ is out of character for me.  If I would have had any idea how the next week would be, I would have been more organized and made sure the house chores were complete.

While every human being puts these tasks off to some sort.  We need to prioritze our responsibilities each and every moment of our lives.  But, the preparation of our spirtual lives and the spirtual lives of others will always be the number one priority.  In Isaiah 25:1, ‘O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.’  Even the Lord, our God, is prepared.

With this said, think about taking time today and think about what you need to be prepared for.  Is it something that can wait?  Or is it something that should be done now?  What are the priorities that the Lord has set for you? 

Thinking of all these things will prepare you for all of the events that go on in your life.  Events can be just a load of laundry but can also be eternity!

I want to share this scripture with you today.  I am thankful for all the blessings in my life including my brothers and sisters in PEACH.