the "daily" section |
I double-booked myself this morning. (Actually, almost TRIPLE-booked!) I hate it when that happens.
Here's my excuse. One of them anyway. When reminded last month of the first meeting of a group studying Celebration of Discipline by R. Foster, I wrote it down in the larger "daily" section of my datebook. Later, when accepting a lunch date and making a coffee date for the same day, I didn't check THAT section and wrote the last two appointment in the "monthly calendar" section.
The lunch date was canceled yesterday, and last night I got a call reminding me of the study group meeting. OOPS! I judged it too late to cancel my coffee date and had to make an embarrassed apology to my friend in the study group. Note to self: Record and check appointments on monthly calendar first. ALWAYS.
This incident helped me think about the times I have been guilty of "double-booking" when it comes to inspirational reading. Bible study materials, great devotional titles, and any of the wonderful books written by godly people begin to fill up my time, while personal and intentional BIBLE reading is "filed" away in a less visible part of my life's "datebook" where it is too easily forgotten. OOPS!
Note to self: Read the Bible first. ALWAYS.
"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever" (I Peter 1:24-25)
I hear you.
ReplyDeleteI've had to put away my lovely Women's Devotional Bible for that reason. Still use it, but just not as my 'reading Bible'.
I distract easily, and it's taken me a long time to remedy that.
I totally gave up trying to use a date book. I have one of those BIG calendars on my refrigerator door (it's got a magnetic base and I buy a refill each year). It's right there in my face and I've got myself pretty well trained to put stuff there. When I raising the boys, especially in the busy teen years, everybody was "color coded" and they knew if their stuff wasn't posted up there, they couldn't depend on me for transportation! I like having the calendar refill now because I take it off and save them as a "record" of my year. In our big extended family you have no idea how often it has come in handy when discussing "what we did last year for ___". Also, having the whole "month" in front of me all the time helps me to block out some margin for myself (down time). What a great study Celebration of Discipline will be...I'll be anxious to hear what you are learning. I've read it.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Dakota!
ReplyDeleteAnd JACQUELYN, I've read the book a few times. Never with group discussion before and not for a few years, so I know I'll be blessed by it.
I like the purse-size datebook. Don't trust my memory to get it home and on calendar:)
Ouch! You stepped on my toes today . . . but I need the reminder that no good book ( and I do love good books) can take the place of The Book.
ReplyDeleteOh, I totally understand this and I have a tendency to forget a lot. there are some wonderful Bible studies/books out there that I just want to read..and they 're good...but it's more important to spend regular time reading the Bible itself...!!! I"m glad I'm not the only one. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)
ReplyDeleteGoodness, you've said so much in just a few words and you are so right!
ReplyDeleteI too raise my hand as one whose done the same thing. This is a timely reminder of what comes first!
As for reminders, my life is not as busy as yours, a simple note on the calendar works for me. It mostly has only doctor appointments...you can tell it belongs to two senior citizens!
Pat, It (schedule) is not as packed as it seems. It's just that sometimes things all seem to want to happen on the same day :) !
ReplyDeleteHow comforting for me, Rebecca to know that I am in such great company.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminders.
If we were neighbors I would loved to have shared the cake, as dh and I didn't need a cake sitting in front of us, especially choc.. Happy to say the one who can eat and not gain (dh) has been eating the majority of it. lol
Hugs,
Sue
We missed you yesterday but all look forward to seeing you on the 27th. Mark it down in both sections of your datebook. Tee-Hee
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful day!!
This is the quote that always makes me want to reach for my Bible first: "The Christian who is careless in Bible reading will be careless in Christian living." (Max Reich)
ReplyDeleteI am always forgetting to update my notebook I carry in my purse. :(
ReplyDeleteHi Friend.
ReplyDeleteI pray that your Saturday will be a blessing.
Let me know when you receive the book!
Love in the Lamb,
Jess
It is very hard to separate one's self three ways! I'm sure that you were forgiven!
ReplyDeleteI can only read one book at a time. If I don't I usually won't finish either. But I don't count the Bible. I can read that anytime!
Love Di ♥
Guilty of the same thing... so many wonderful words from others stack alongside my bed. So many wonderful words from God that often get overlooked or pushed aside because of those others.
ReplyDeleteTruly, I was reminding myself of this very thing last evening when readying my heart for the receiving. God's Word first, then the rest!
Blessed rest to you this day; enjoy the gift of God's companioning presence at every turn.
peace~elaine
Thanks so much for the wonderful reminder to put God's Word first before anything else.
ReplyDeletePS: I have been guilty of "double booking" on my datebook also!! It helps to remember to look at both pages! :D