Deadlines, schedules, required attendance, fun things, not-so-fun things, want-to-do, have-to do, need-to-do ... we struggle trying to keep the important things in first place while the URGENTS invade our world through what a friend calls a ring of the phone, arrive via text or email, beat at the door, or grab you around the ankles. This is the season when our Sportmom heads swirl with the "how-am-I-ever-going-to-get-it-all-done" question. So as we step into December, it is a grand time to make 2 lists and check them twice... that is the side-tracking URGENT list and the on-track IMPORTANT list.
Coach has always been excellent at wading through the U-I maze. Perhaps the ticking of the ever-present time clock during his fast-paced basketball games has honed his skill. It seems that discarding the unnecessary urgent pressures put on by others is a breeze for him. For me? Not so much! It takes constant and focused effort to keep the important at the top of my list.
Years ago a Pastor's wife named Ann Ortland told of her experience with this U-I syndrome in her book Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman. Her conclusion was that we must learn to "eliminate and concentrate". I've never forgotten that challenge and it comes to mind again as we weed out the pressures that crowd the important. Charles E. Hummel in his book The Tyranny of the Urgent cites this passing comment made by an experienced factory manager -
"Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important things."
While we are on a roll with the wise and esteemed, here is Lucille Ball adding her two-cents-worth. . .
"I think knowing what you cannot do is more important than knowing what you can do."
The idea of separating the URGENT (brought on by un-caring and invading forces) from the IMPORTANT is referred to in scripture as "order". The Prophet Isaiah proclaimed this word of the LORD -
"It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth, my right hand that spread out the heavens above. When I call out the stars, they all appear in order.” Isaiah 48:13 NLT
Let's "call out" what is IMPORTANT just as our Creator did and "put our house in order" during these next few weeks. May these words spoken by Paul to the Church at Colossi be also said of us . . .
"I am delighted to hear of the careful and orderly ways you conduct your affairs, and impressed with the solid substance of your faith in Christ." Colossians 2:5 TM
Now make your lists asking is this an URGENT unnecessary-right-now interruption or an IMPORTANT part of today's purpose. Then go forward with the IMPORTANT allowing the orderly spirit of the Christ child to reign in your heart this holy season.
Blessings . . . as you call out the important. ©2010 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224
Coach has always been excellent at wading through the U-I maze. Perhaps the ticking of the ever-present time clock during his fast-paced basketball games has honed his skill. It seems that discarding the unnecessary urgent pressures put on by others is a breeze for him. For me? Not so much! It takes constant and focused effort to keep the important at the top of my list.
Years ago a Pastor's wife named Ann Ortland told of her experience with this U-I syndrome in her book Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman. Her conclusion was that we must learn to "eliminate and concentrate". I've never forgotten that challenge and it comes to mind again as we weed out the pressures that crowd the important. Charles E. Hummel in his book The Tyranny of the Urgent cites this passing comment made by an experienced factory manager -
"Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important things."
While we are on a roll with the wise and esteemed, here is Lucille Ball adding her two-cents-worth. . .
"I think knowing what you cannot do is more important than knowing what you can do."
The idea of separating the URGENT (brought on by un-caring and invading forces) from the IMPORTANT is referred to in scripture as "order". The Prophet Isaiah proclaimed this word of the LORD -
"It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth, my right hand that spread out the heavens above. When I call out the stars, they all appear in order.” Isaiah 48:13 NLT
Let's "call out" what is IMPORTANT just as our Creator did and "put our house in order" during these next few weeks. May these words spoken by Paul to the Church at Colossi be also said of us . . .
"I am delighted to hear of the careful and orderly ways you conduct your affairs, and impressed with the solid substance of your faith in Christ." Colossians 2:5 TM
Now make your lists asking is this an URGENT unnecessary-right-now interruption or an IMPORTANT part of today's purpose. Then go forward with the IMPORTANT allowing the orderly spirit of the Christ child to reign in your heart this holy season.
Blessings . . . as you call out the important. ©2010 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224
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