Tag: busy

Gratitude Attitude

I just finished watching the CCF Sunday Message through Livestream and the message hit me big time.

I don’t know when it started but I had again a phase of grumbling and complaining at work. Things at work are mostly really busy for me. If I can eat lunch with my colleagues on time and consistent in a week, that is already a huge break for me.  And, I really think that God allows it to happen to reveal what is in my heart and to test my character.  You see, being busy at work is not really the problem. It’s not even like I bring work at home. However, because I am overwhelmed with work that I expect other people to work in same pace and provide results as I do. That’s when the grumbling and complaining happens.

The message I just listened talked about “Entitlement”. And how to avoid it is to always have a gratitude attitude. And this really hit me. I feel like I complained too much that I already lose sight of the true important things. Things that I should learn to count and be grateful for. I also forgot that I myself is a recipient of grace. In God’s standard, I will never be good. But because of His grace through Jesus, He is able to forgive me of my misses and failures. I am reminded that I should be the same to other people. I have to stop easily judging people and see them  as how God sees them.

I used to have reminder at my desk at work, “Increase Appreciation, Lower Expectation”. I should really put that back to remind me to always learn to see the good on people. It is very hard especially when you expect people to perform based on their status and position. By God’s grace, I’m praying that I will really learn to lower my expectation and even more surrender those to God as He is the one who is really in control.

The cause of my busyness was a big project I was part of that just got implemented recently. It’s a good accomplishment and it was successful. But, in all honesty, I feel that I failed the test God gave me. I ended up grumbling so much instead of rejoicing more. I became loud inside instead of allowing peace to work in my heart. I forgot to be grateful of the blessing of work and blessing of relationship. I lose sight of what truly matters for eternity.

I know that God will always bring me to circumstances that  will prune and mold me as God’s purpose for us has always been Christ-likeness. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I pray that I will be better next time.

I want to end this by thanking God for a lifetime of grace that is overflowing for me and for you that we may always be reminded of what truly matters and to always be grateful.

———-o———-

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:3-8

be grateful!

When God said, “Rest.”

September 2, 2015 – This day will linger a bit in me.

This was the day when God spoke to me not just once but 4 times in one day Psalm 46:10 – “Be still.”

Days before this, my schedule was just so crazy. Work was crazy tiring and I had commitments after office hours and weekends. It was just non-stop that I could not even find time cleaning my own room.

Do you believe that God does care about your physical condition? When He showed to me Psalm 46 in so many places more than once, I thought, there must be something in there! It’s either I ignore Him or obey Him. And I know God. He is always clear. So, by His grace, I chose to obey Him. And indeed, I’m so glad I did!

You see, I didn’t know what was ahead of me. I didn’t know how things will turn out weeks after that day. But God knows. He knows I will never have enough strength to endure the busyness ahead of me if I didn’t stop doing things that are stealing my time to rest. I would have gotten so worn out that I might end up getting so sick or if not, become a one big grumbling soul.

I know how important rest is. I know how important to have a quiet time and just be still with God in the midst of busyness. But I’ve never been more appreciative of rest until these past weeks. Resting is not just relaxing and doing nothing. Resting is total dependence on God hoping that when you wake up the next day, you will have renewed strength for another long day ahead.

When God tells us to rest, He is serious about it. He knows how much we can only do each day. He knows our limitations that He allows us to have a rest.

So, if you’ve been too busy doing things that you think are important or you think could not wait, try to assess again what your real priorities are. We can only do enough each day. We just have to make sure we don’t compromise the most important things including our own physical health.

By the seventh day, God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created ]and made. – Genesis 2:2-3

DON’T let your BUSYNESS STEAL your AUTUMN

Just few days ago, I had this sort of epiphany while I was walking. When I looked up and saw the leaves were turning red, I was like – “Since when did this start to happen?”

I had a sudden realization that it was already autumn. I totally didn’t notice it.

And, that’s when I had to take a pause.

I realize I was starting to miss out the little things that I used to appreciate and be grateful for even just when I walk home.

Things have been very busy at work that I can’t help but think about the things I need to do even in my sleep. Just too much.

And so, I told myself that I can’t change the busyness at work but I can change how I deal with it.

With that, I made a choice not to allow busyness steal the things that I value.

  1. Never allow busyness steal your good working relationship with your co-workers. If you are busy, everyone else must also be. It’s really tough when you want certain things done but you can’t have it right away. I’m learning a lot these past days on how to just relax and trust that the people you work with will make it happen. And also, don’t forget simple manners like saying thank you and please.
  2. Never allow busyness steal your meal. Eat wherever you are, whatever you are doing, whatever time it is. Our brain needs nutrients to function. It’s plain common sense. I’ve learned to carry with me my lunch bag anywhere I go now. Never go hungry. And, bring extra for the team!
  3. Never allow busyness steal your time to rest. Less activity during weekdays after work or no activity at all really helps. It allows you to just enjoy a good evening by reading a book, watching a movie or doing something creative.  The next day, you are recharged again for your work. Being busy at work and after work will just kill you physically and mentally.
  4. Never allow busyness steal your time for family. I’ve been guilty on this for the past weeks. I just felt so tired that I could not even make time to talk to my family. And that’s because I was also going out somewhere after work. At the end of the day, go home and spend time with your family. See your friends on weekends.
  5. Never allow busyness steal your quiet time. This is a very important time of the day for me. This is the time that I get to spend with God in prayer and reading the Bible. This is what I need to be able to go to work with full of encouragement and strength. Apart from God, I could become the worst co-worker ever.
  6. Never allow busyness steal the opportunity to be a blessing. It’s tough to look after another person’s interest when you have so much on your plate to do. I believe a little encouragement is already a blessing. Just imagine a workplace with bunch of people who encourages one another? One thing I need to keep on learning is to appreciate hard work of people, and say it out loud.
  7. Never allow busyness steal your laughter. We all need to be serious with what we do at work. But a good laugh is sometimes not bad. Need I say more? 😀
  8. Never allow busyness steal your hope. When we see a long list of to do’s, we feel like there is no end to everything. Also, we get so clouded with so many things happening at the same time that we feel like things might not work as they should be. One thing I just keep reminding myself these days, “Never give up!” Just keep doing your best! It will work out!
  9. Never allow busyness steal your growth. Just because you want things done, doesn’t mean that you just do them without really learning. Tasks must also help us grow and improve. We are not just merely doers, but we are also learners.
  10. Lastly, never allow busyness steal your autumn. Never lose a grateful heart. Appreciate the little things around you. Thank God for your accomplished day. Enjoy your way home by not just thinking about work but also enjoying the autumn breeze and clear sunny afternoon. Live.

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There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Out of Focus

What happens when you take a photo and your camera is out of focus? The subject becomes blurry, right? Or the picture doesn’t show how you wanted it to be.

That’s how I can describe my current state right now. Out of Focus.

I’ve been trying to establish my day to day routine since I went back to work for more than a month now. And it’s still a struggle for me. The only thing I have established is to wake up by 7am and sleepy by 10pm. Other than that, my time after work each day has become topsy-turvy.

I need to start setting new goals. I need to start doing things that would matter not just for now but with a perspective of eternity. I need to take away the distractions around me. I got so encouraged by my friend who committed to the Lord to give up TV for a year.

I don’t have to start doing big things. I just need to make each minute that I have count. Whether it would be rest or an activity, it should be done with a goal in mind.

With this, I’m committing to God that I would use my time after work and even my weekends to things that are not just merely for doing things but with the purpose of pleasing and glorifying God.

I can only see a clear picture when everything I’m doing is aligned to what God has set for me to do. I can’t continue having an out of focus walk with God. It’s time to put back things on how they were supposed to be. God being the first.

Time

Would you agree that in this lifetime, time is truly a luxury?

A luxury…

When we don’t have time…

for family
for rest
for doing hobbies
for meeting people

most importantly, for God.

I use to struggle in managing my time especially during weekends. My calendar is always booked that I got worn out and sick as often because of the lack of rest. This year, I’ve learned to somehow manage my time and make sure I really have time for God and for rest.

God was very serious when He said to keep the Sabbath holy. He knows our limitations and that we truly need rest to be recharged for the good works that He has prepared for us to do in the next days.

I thank God that He gives me 2 days off to be renewed.

Don’t you love weekends? 🙂

Happy Rest Day! 🙂

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