• SPORTMOMS & MORE HOME
  • SPORTMOM E-votional
  • "BEHIND THE BENCH" BLOG
  • COACH'S CORNER
  • MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

URGENT OR IMPORTANT?

12/2/2010

 
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

Comments are closed.
    Picture

    About the Author... 
    JANET BROWN

    As a veteran coach's wife, Janet invites you to join her in "Changing the world for Christ...one athlete at a time".Through the language of sports and life experiences, Janet uniquely exposes the character of God and His desire for "sportmoms" to WIN BIG in life. Her behind-the-bench view invites us into a world of triumphant wins and tragic personal loss.


    LIFE EXPERIENCE

    From being a mother of 2 to a spiritual mom to many, the road of life for Janet includes these hallmarks:

    - Gave her "heart to Jesus"     at 6 years old
    .
    - Studied Education/          Psychology at a Christian  College

    - Enjoyed earning her wings  and flying as a Flight    Attendant

    - Is the wife of Coach Dave Brown since 1967.

    - Involved in ministry to women for 30+ years including: Retreat Facilitator and speaker, Bible Study leader, National Women's Ministry Leader

    - Held an executive position in the corporate world for 35 years.

    - Developed and taught Pre-married and Marriage classes with her husband for 12 years. 

    Currently is a writer, grandmother to 4 and a coach's wife.


    Archives

    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010

    Categories

    All
    SPORTMOMS & MORE
    Your Comments

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly