Encouragement for Today - Jan. 9, 2012
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January 9, 2011
Today is Tomorrow |
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3 (NIV 1984)
I didn't want to do or think about what needed to be done today, so I put it off until tomorrow. Then tomorrow got pushed back until the next tomorrow. When I finally did what I'd put off, I was stressed out, rushed, in a bad mood or convinced I didn't need to do my task at all. Here are a few of my I'll do it tomorrow's:
I'll start my diet...tomorrow.
I'll read my Bible and pray...tomorrow.
I'll clean my house...tomorrow.
I'll call my friend...tomorrow.
I'll have lunch with my son...tomorrow.
I'll take brownies to my neighbor...tomorrow.
I'll spend quality time with my husband...tomorrow.
God gave us 24 hours in each day. How I use them is up to me. I may not be able to complete every task assigned to me in a single day. But to continue to put off important things that need doing is not being a good steward of the time and tasks God has given me.
There was a season of my life I was so bad about putting goals and tasks off until another day that I got behind in everything. I wanted things to change, but my choices didn't reflect that. Sleeping took precedence over getting up for quiet time. Burgers and fries filled my plate instead of healthy soup and salad. Magazines occupied my hands instead of laundry. Television was preferable to exercise. And time with friends was chosen over time with my husband.
Day after day, I had good intentions to make changes.
Day after day, I put them off until tomorrow.
Eventually, I felt like a failure.
It took a simple sentence from my then three-year-old daughter to move me from apathy to action. A few years ago we planned a family trip to Walt Disney World. I made the mistake of telling Haley Grace months in advance. Each day she'd ask, "Are we going to Disney World today?"
Repeatedly, I'd answer, "Not today. We aren't going for three more months... five more weeks... eight more days..." The night before we left, I announced the news she'd been waiting for. "Hayley Grace, we are going to Disney World tomorrow!"
The next morning she woke early and ran into my room before I was out of bed. "Mommy, Mommy, is today tomorrow?" I was thrilled to reply, "Yes! Today is tomorrow!"
Things clicked for me and I decided then that I was going to start making today my tomorrow.
Instead of wasting precious time, I started spending it in prayer, asking God to show me what tasks He'd like me to complete that day. I prayed for strength and perseverance to accomplish what He'd given me. And I brought a few friends along with me to be encouraged and to be an encouragement to them in finishing their goals.
I put into action today what I'd been putting off till tomorrow.
What changes, goals, or intentions have you been putting off until tomorrow? Let's make our "to-do" list our "to-day" list. Not only will we have a sense of accomplishment, but we'll also make an impact today. Today is tomorrow!
Dear Lord, it never seems like there are enough hours in the day to do everything. Help me discern the difference between what's important and what's unimportant and set my priorities in a way that is pleasing to You. I pray for discipline and motivation to get started each and every today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join us online tonight where Melissa will be Lysa TerKeurst's guest on her FREE webcast: No More Excuses. This is the exact motivation you need to make today your tomorrow, and embrace a healthy journey that is fun and successful. Find out more and reserve your spot now by clicking here.
Visit Melissa's blog for a chance to win a Made to Crave book and conference call series. Also, be sure to sign up for her upcoming Made to Crave online study. For more information, click here.
Application Steps:
Make a list of changes you've been putting off making. Rank them in the order you believe God would have you do them. Pray and decide how you can implement these changes. Call a friend and ask her for accountability.
Reflections:
What is keeping me from doing what needs to be done today?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
