Tyranny of the Urgent

I haven't posted anything lately not because I haven't done anything or learned anything recently, but because I have. In the hustle and bustle of the Thanksgiving--Christmas eating/celebrating frenzy, shuttling a team of 20 down to Mexico for a week of veterinary surgeries, visiting the soon to be distant relatives for a couple fun days in Colorado, then returning to a plate full of catching up and getting behind again I got busy. Not to say that I'm not usually busy, but for once, I recognized it as a problem.

As chores with deadlines or people waiting on them took precedence, subjects of actual importance took a backseat. I realized I was getting behind on my Spanish study and my Bible reading, but I wasn't neglecting more instantly-gratifying activities such as blogging, planning service projects, or keeping up with Facebook. And I remembered an article entitled Tyranny of the Urgent. "The momentary appeal of these tasks seems irresistible and important, and they devour our energy. But in light of time's perspective their deceptive prominence fades; with a sense of loss we recall the important task pushed aside." So I slowed down, worked on the preterite tense in espanol, finished a book, and refocused my priorities, because even "...frenetic service for God can become an escape from God." And escaping God is the last thing I want to do.

Allowing margin time has never been a strength of mine, but I appreciate its benefits when I can. This week we got an invite with short notice to fill in for a cancellation to serve dinner at the Ronald McDonald House. Tonight, a group of Mosaic chefs was able to take advantage of that opportunity and enjoy an evening with some lovely families, because we left a little room for God's timing in our plans.

But I think the perfect balance of scheduling is when you're able to accept a request at 7am on your day off to babysit momentarily so that Mom and Dad can go deliver a baby. Last Wednesday, I was so blessed to have the flexibility to play with Reagan Love Kuhl all day while Carl Herman Kuhl V (Quint) was brought into the world. From what I've seen he's a sweet precious tiny thing with a full head of blonde hair. From what I hear he likes to make a lot of noise at night.