It’s time for Five Minute Friday. Where we write for 5 minutes on the same word prompt and link up together. Click here to join us!
Our word prompt today: INSPIRE
GO
It’s over half way through the year and I’m wondering where it all went.
There are some out there already counting down the days/weeks and shopping days until Christmas and that just makes my stomach turn and my head hurt. Why can’t we let today be today?
I feel like I just finished up all the paperwork and put away school stuff for summer and now the Back-To-School merchandise is lining the aisles in Wal-Mart.
Pushing me forward does not inspire me. Pushing the idea of days left till Christmas and Back-to-School stuff just overwhelms and makes me want to bury my head and yell, “NO!!! NOT YET!”
We get half way through the year and we might feel overloaded and weighed down by what’s getting pushed at us and vying for our attention.
So today I decided to push back against all that.
Instead of being overwhelmed I decided to look back in my calendar and journal from the year and review all that has been accomplished in these days of 2017. And then I’m reminded that these days have not been wasted but we’ve accomplished some good things.
- We finished school and graduated another teen!
- We made a trip through a snowstorm to get my passport and attend a loved ones funeral in Canada
- I prepared and shared at 3 different ladies events outside of our local ministry
- We’ve completed 3 kids ministry series so far this year and a summer KidzTurn event.
- We entertained and hosted guests in our home
- We completed a ladies summer book study
- I’ve read 13 books (outside of normal school books)
- We’ve painted and decorated a few rooms in our home
- And plugged away at endless every day tasks at home, work and ministry
Now that kind of list inspires me!!!
We can become overwhelmed in the day-to-day thinking that we haven’t made traction in our world. We’re being rolled over by the wheels of time. Yet when we look back even over 6 months of time we can see the wheels moving us forward.
We are moving forward! We are accomplishing good things and getting great things done!
So don’t be overwhelmed by the day-to-day or that pressure from stores pushing us forward. Instead rest in the principle of the tortoise and the hare.
- Slow and steady wins the race.
- Diligence and determination gets us across the finish line.
Look how far you’ve already come. Be motivated by what you’ve already accomplished this year and let that inspire you to keep the wheels moving and finish the race.
STOP
Jump into the conversation: Share your own list of accomplished tasks this year and be inspired to keep the wheels moving!
Happy Friday, friends! Have a great relaxing weekend!
Tripping Over Typeset 
Thank you for the encouraging post, Rachel! I was feeling so overwhelmed by everything I haven’t accomplished this summer. Your post reminded me to focus on everything that I have accomplished. 🙂
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Good… then I accomplished my goal! 🙂 Let’s not get overwhelmed by looking at what we haven’t done or comparing with others, instead let’s look at how far we’ve already come! 🙂 Thanks for stopping over and jumping in! Happy Friday to you!
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I agree, it’s so much more inspiring to think about what we’ve already accomplished and the progress we’ve made than to keep looking ahead to all that’s coming up and the things we have to do. And I am definitely nowhere near ready to think about Christmas yet!
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Yes… Christmas just needs to stay in December! 🙂 Hahaha! Thanks for jumping in and sharing!
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OH MY WORD! Your list inspires me. WOW!!!
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And you know, how easily we get ourselves down by thinking we aren’t doing enough but then when we actually sit and look at what we’ve done, we have all accomplished a lot! You’d be surprised when you look back on the simple days of your year! 🙂 Be inspired! 🙂 Happy Friday!
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Your title made me smile. The damp I worked at for many summers celebrated “Christmas in July.” Your list inspires me too!
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Thanks for jumping in Tara! Glad it brought a smile to your face! 🙂 Happy Friday!
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What I’ve accomplished this year? LOTS—but most of it not what I expected… Last December we sold the big, beautiful historic home in town that we renovated and loved for over a decade with plans to build a smaller home on acreage we own in the country. Eight months later, building hasn’t begun. Long story, but one that God is using to inspire me to live in the moment and trust Him with every part of my today and tomorrow.
While waiting, I’ve loved and stood by my husband through two totally unforeseen surgeries (with a third, and hopefully final one, soon). I’ve helped complete a new park in our small-town historic district and scheduled a summer full of activities for enjoying it. I’ve planned parties and hosted impromptu picnics. I’ve written for and copy-edited multiple pieces for an international orphan-care ministry. I’ve practiced breathing–and simply being still as we make housing decisions while living in our fifth wheel travel trailer on our property. The space is small but very comfortable…and the misty mornings and showing-off sunsets are amazing.
Here’s to progress—in its own good time… from your neighbor at FMF
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I love that! Good for you on breathing in what is brought to you in a day! I’m sure in January you didn’t see all this yet God knew and has been faithful all the way through it! That is awesome! Praying your plans all come together for your upcoming new home and make those memories made in the 5th wheel stay sweet! Thanks for stopping by and jumping in! Have a great weekend! 🙂
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I like this, Rachel! I am easily bogged down in the “what I have yet to do.” What a great reminder, to stop and look back over “what’s already been done.”
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Absolutely so important to focus on our successes! Even just looking back in our day -timer can be inspiring. I am reminded that my Walmart puts up the Christmas decorations before my Canadian Thanksgiving in October is over! Crazy!
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Yes, the day timer is great review material too. I think looking back and seeing the days full reminds me that God got me through the busy season as well and He will be faithful in the future as well. Thanks for stopping over and jumping in!
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Great post and perspective, Rachel.
My main achievement…I’m still here, and my morale is still good. The latter takes a LOT of intentional work, and it’s the basis for all that may yet come.
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Good to hear from you, Andrew! God is good and I’m glad you are doing well in your morale! Chin up, friend! We are praying for you! Thanks for stopping over and jumping in!
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13 books! You’re waaaayyyy ahead of me. Any of note I should add to my list?
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Just finished “The Church of the Small Things” by Melanie Shankle. (It doesn’t come out until Sept. – I’m reading an ARC) That was really good. Made me laugh and cry. I like biographies/life stories so Magnolia Story – by Chip and Joanna Gaines is great. Earlier this year I read a great novel called “The Trouble with Goats and Sheep” by Joanna Cannon. I checked it out from my library. I loved it! Loved the writing and her way with words and it’s a great story as well. (I ended it with tears and was sad that it was over… for me always a good sign of a good book! 😉 ) I would recommend that one if you are looking for a good easy summer read!
Thanks for stopping by! Always great to connect with you! 🙂
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Thank you! I will check those titles out.
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