Like most of my retired friends, I’m busier than ever now that I’m wrapping up my last semester at the university. Most of us in our younger years looked forward to our “golden years,” of sitting back and doing nothing. When I tried to retire once before, I found myself in the pit of a depression that took doctor’s visits and medication to climb out of. It is with great trepidation that I attempt to retire again. This time it will be different. I live a very busy life with demands like blogging, checking e-mails, keeping up with family, making things. I have just finished Halloween baskets (think Easter baskets) to sell in order to help finance my Advanced Writing students’ Literacy Projects. Of course each Halloween basket has a paperback, children’s Halloween book.

The following popped up in the morning devotional I follow, and I wish to share it with you:

“To describe Jesus as a man in demand is an understatement.  He mentored his disciples, cast out demons, taught in synagogues, and visited followers’ homes. Imagine His to-do list! Everyone wanted Jesus’ time and attention, but He knew when to say no.He knew where to focus and He stayed on task. What enabled Him to do so? He spent time in His Father’s presence alone, praying. We don’t know what He said, but perhaps He asked the Father to direct Him. Jesus had twenty-four hours in each day, just like we do, and He completed His life’s purpose in three years.  Obviously He did something right, and we can learn from Him.”

This made me stop and think of how many times I had thought of a possible solution on my own, made plans and asked The Lord to bless them after the fact. If we go to our Father first, asking for guidance, we will accomplish more than we ever dreamed we could, and maybe even accomplish God’s purpose for our lives.