Personal Reflection

Timing Is Everything

Today I would like to introduce a fellow author and her new book Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries.  I know you will be blessed with her words.

Timing Is Everything
by Kathy Collard Miller 

We’ve heard it a lot: Timing is everything. And everything to worry about. We hear and experience so much pressure about time: Don’t waste it—use every moment wisely—you’ll only go by this way once. And then we start worrying when God doesn’t keep His end of the bargain about time. He delays. He’s on His own time schedule.

Time. What a worrisome gift from God. We need to learn to trust God about our own management of time, and then we must also trust God for His timing in our lives.

When I think about managing my own time with God’s help I can look back and remember the exact principle that helped me release and worry less about my time pressures. Someone shared with me: “God will give me enough time to do what He wants me to do.”

Psalm 127:1-2 says: “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep” (NASB).

I began to believe God could determine what I should get done in a day. Normally I would think I had to check off every item on my to-do list in order to be a super Christian. But then I began saying, “Okay, Lord, what do you want me to put first on my list?” and “What do you want me to do next?” I started to relax. “If I don’t get everything done, that’s okay. I will finish what God wants me to complete because He is directing me.”

I remember working on a project that needed to be completed for a meeting that evening. And I knew I’d need every moment of my day to do it. But then the phone rang. I couldn’t resist answering it. It was my friend, Gloria.

She said, “Kathy, I’ve decided to make an appointment with my pastor like you’ve said I should but I’ll only go today if you go with me.”

I thought, “Oh, no, Lord, I can’t go with her.” But I sensed the Lord directing me to go. “Lord, that can’t be. I have to get this work done and besides, the project represents you!”

Still, the Spirit seemed to indicate I should go and trust Him for the result. I reluctantly agreed to go with Gloria but wondered at the sanity of having the “house” (Psalm 127:1-2) built in this way.

Several hours later when I returned home from taking Gloria to the appointment, the phone was ringing. I picked it up and the chairwoman of that evening’s meeting told me, “Kathy, we’ve had to cancel the meeting tonight. Too many people are sick. I’ll let you know when we re-schedule it.”

God can act whenever He wants in the midst of our time pressures. He’s expeditious in directing our way if we will just turn it over to Him. At the beginning of each day, write out your list and ask God what He wants you to do item by item, project by project. And whatever you don’t get done, He didn’t intend for you to get done. He’s a wonderful time manager. He’s expeditious—speedy to get done what He wants done.

 

BOOK SUMMARY AND BIOGRAPHY:

Partly Cloudy with Scattered WorriesIt is possible to worry less through trusting God more. Regardless of the storms of trials, temptations, worry, uncertainty, confusion, or regrets that you’re facing, you can trust God more. Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries offers a conversational style, personal testimonies, practical illustrations, and solid biblical teaching for breaking anxiety and the devastating effects of worry. Each chapter includes Discussion Questions for individuals or groups, along with a “Letter from God.” In addition, a profile of a woman in the Bible who struggled with or experienced victory over worry is featured in each chapter to inspire every reader to see God’s hand in her life.

Kathy Collard Miller is a speaker and author. Her passion is to inspire women to trust God more. She has spoken in 30 states and 7 foreign countries. Kathy has 49 published books including Women of the Bible: Smart Guide to the Bible (Thomas Nelson) and she blogs at www.KathyCollardMiller.blogspot.com. Kathy lives in Southern California with her husband of 43 years, Larry, and is the proud grandma of Raphael. Kathy and Larry often speak together at marriage events and retreats.

 Click here to order Kathy’s book –> Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries