really were “Jesus with skin on” to us this weekend. And He used each of you to touch our family in a profound way.
I love you! Happy Resurrection Day, indeed!
Jocelyn
* * *
From:
VIM
To:
Rosalyn Ebberly
Subject:
Your birthday
* * *
Howdy Sis!
I think Mama will be calling you later today, but I wanted to give you a heads-up. She and Daddy are fixing to come down to Houston for Frank’s photography show at the end of the month instead of going to Hibiscus for your birthday. It’s Frank’s first exhibit, and it’s really important to him, so they decided it was a higher priority this year. I hope y’all understand. You can always have a birthday again next year, but a first show only happens once. I just wanted you to know so you don’t get your plans all cattywhompus when Mama calls. We’ll make it up to you later, okay? There ya go.
Love,
Veronica
* * *
From:
Rosalyn Ebberly
To:
SAHM I Am
Subject:
[SAHM I AM] TOTW April 4: Ordering Our Priorities
* * *
Women of integrity,
Don’t you just love the arrival of spring? I know in only a few weeks, Hibiscus is going to live up to its flowery name and be awash with color and fragrance. But with the arrival of spring comes a busy whirl of activity. So before the roller coaster begins its descent, let’s take a moment and discuss our PRIORITIES.
As SAHMs, it’s tempting for many of you to become distracted by all the things that we fill our lives with. MOPS, Bible study, play groups, lunch dates, church events—all these compete for our time and attention. And then there are the time-wasters: watching TV, surfing the Internet, reading novels, shopping and so on, that cut even further into our already short days.
We must always remind ourselves what is most important. I do this by making a list and posting it by my bed so that it’s one of the first things I see in the morning. It helps me focus on what I SHOULD be doing each day, and not get distracted by anything else. My priorities are, in order of importance: God, Chad, the children, household management, church, and lastly, friends. Not that you all aren’t important to me—you’re on the list, after all! But I have to keep you in the proper place in my life, not allowing you to become more important than the other items. If I had to choose between you and the rest of my list, any other thing would win first. That’s just the way it has to be.
You, too, can be this disciplined if you work at it. The first step is to make your list of priorities. Next, order it according to CURRENT importance in your life. Put the least important item (like all of you) at the bottom. God SHOULD be at the top, but don’t just put Him there because it’s the right thing to do. At this stage, you order your list according to what is actually true in your life right now. I doubt many of you will have God at the top of your list, because if you did, you wouldn’t be spending so much time e-mailing one another! :)
Then you can create a second list with the order your priorities SHOULD be in. This is the time to put God at the top, and Friends at the bottom (or somewhere down there). You’ll likely have things from the first list that won’t even make it to the second list—you don’t REALLY have time in your life to make EVERYTHING a priority.
Notice on my list what was NOT there: Myself! That’s right—in the spirit of humility and unselfishness, I do not make myself a priority. That means that I care very little about my own hobbies, accomplishments, dreams or desires. My life is poured out in completely selfless service to others. And that’s what all of YOU should aspire to, as well! It’s the most satisfying, fulfilling sensation in the entire world—to be NOTHING.
Totally yours,
Rosalyn
“She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Proverbs 31:27 (NASB)
* * *
From:
Brenna L.
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: [SAHM I AM] TOTW April 4: Ordering Our Priorities
* * *
Good old Rosalyn—she always knows how to make us feel great about ourselves.
Brenna (whose current priority for the day is mopping the floor! It’s been raining, and I really am starting to think the mud is alive and sneaking into my kitchen and oozing itself all over