I have not been a habitually late person, per se, but I have gripped up my steering wheel while driving because I was so worried about arriving late. I end up being all sweaty and stressed when a little planning ahead of time would prevent all of that.
I would love to be the kind of person who can sit in silence before an event or a commitment, but instead, I am running around looking for parking, grabbing clothes or packing lunches.
Now, I have a new position at my company that requires me to be at work an hour and a half earlier than I was before. It is a pretty prominent position, so I open up the doors and people would be waiting on me if I weren't there. This FORCES me to get up early.
Honestly, sure this helps, but I want to be a prepared person. Now don't get me wrong, Anal Annie is no better than Late Lucy, but I want to be the kind of woman who is a good steward of time. I have noticed that since I've had to get up earlier that I have been falling asleep around 9pm or so. That gives me a small window of time once I get off work to actually spend with my family (which is paramount in my mind).
Here is my schedule:
I wake up at 5am.
Shower and get dressed
Pack lunches and get breakfast together
Out the door by 6:45am
Arrive at work at 7:10am
Work from 7:30 to 4pm
Pick up kiddo at 4:30pm
Come home and make dinner, hang out with family, light cleaning (I follow flylady)
Hang out with hubby until around 8
By 8:30, especially in these cold, dark months, I start to yawn. Throw an errand or an event in there, and I am exhausted by the end of the day. I am going to be starting my winter semester for classes, so who knows how I am going to fit homework in this equation again. Where is exercise, other than chasing a toddler? Where is "me time"? Those are few and far between these days.
The few precious moments I have in the early morning, I want to spend talking to God. I want to connect with Him about my day, my family, my spirit, but at times, I find myself getting rushed into the day and then saying sporadic prayers or reading harried devotionals without really communing with the Lord. I again, don't want to be that kind of woman. How can I give when I am not full? How can I love when I don't know how to give it? I know this sounds like I'm rambling, and really. getting up earlier (when I am most alert and refreshed) is the time that I should devote to Christ. It is all connected in how I spend my day. Should I get up at 4:30? Who knows. I pray I have the discipline and desire to figure it out.
Lord, I cannot do life without you. Fill my cup. Make my priority and focus to be on You and not on my agenda and plans. Give me your peace and surround me with your love today, Lord.
The Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore. PSALM 125:2
