While the start of the new calendar year in January is an auspicious time to visit plans, so is the Easter season. I hope you have discerned His guidance during this quiet time of forty days when we remember our Lord’s temptations in the wilderness. After we celebrate His Glorious Resurrection this Sunday, the following week may be an excellent time to take practical steps you may take as you consider the future:
- Declutter Office Space. Pitch old mail and outdated papers, file papers and electronic files, and place stray books on shelves.
- Think about Magazines. Peruse your online and print magazine subscriptions. Renew the ones you like and discontinue the ones you don’t. I canceled many subscriptions a few years ago and only miss one, which I’ll probably renew. Otherwise, if I don’t eagerly open the magazine when it arrives, I’m not passionate enough about its content to subscribe.
- Maintain. Could your office use a refresh? Lay out a plan on your calendar to shop, gather supplies, and then work. Allow plenty of time. If you’re hiring a pro, schedule now.
- Read a Bucket List Book. As a student, I read classics, intending to complete them quickly and retain what might be on a test. This summer, revisit a classic with new appreciation and freedom, or read one you’ve meant to visit for the first time. If nothing else, you’ll have bragging rights if you plod through a thick tome few have conquered.
- Read Many Books for Research. Want to write a devotional book? Read several. A romance novel? Read those. Also read books on craft.
- Subscribe to Our Blog. If you haven’t already!
- Plan Vacation Now. Everyone needs fun!
I thought that I might take a break
from my Hard Man life
after a bit of give and take
with my darling wife.
She thought I should cry out to God
and weep against His mighty chest,
depart the lonely path I’ve trod,
that it surely would be for the best
to count myself as broken,
to let down my iron guard,
to let salt tears be token
that I’m really not that hard.
Just one problem with that plan:
it ain’t no way to be a man.
I know a Man who wept and cried
And loved and bled and lived and died.
The perfect Man, He felt the pain
Of others, and He wept again.
If He, our model wise and true,
Let fall His tears
Then…
Why not you?
Karen, this is just lovely.
I love reading this blog. Mostly because of the sage insights and wisdom of the writers. And I don’t say this to curry favor with a potential agent; I already am blessed by the grace of God with representation by agent extraordinaire Dan Balow. For example ,this post by Tamela is so germane to me at this moment, that I can only attribute it to an answer to my prayer for help in getting my life in order. So thank you Tamela.
But there is another reason I love this blog. And that is the comment section. This is exemplified by the poetic dialog above by Andrew (our poet in residence) and Marline, a brilliant writer of poetry and prose. I especially love this exchange because it resonates with own personal history. Like Andrew, I was taught that men don’t cry. And I rarely did. But in later years, after coming to Christ, I found that I had suddenly become someone (as Marline describes), who is prone to weeping, both for sorrow and for joy. Thanks to all who write and comment on this God blessed blog, from a devoted, and occasionally overly emotional, fan.
Dear Sy, this is a lovely comment and blessing both. Thank you for sharing your generous thoughts. And yes, Tamela’s wisdom is dead-on and I especially appreciate her comment about reading other books for research. That’s some thing I hadn’t done for many years and now I am doing it, I realize just how much I’ve missed out in pleasure as well as important information.
Sy, I am so honoured.
I find that, for me, flippancy is a better option than vulnerability in dealing with cancer. The situation’s rather passed the place of ooh-rah chest-beating, and of finding meaning in the trials. I have to take it all as a joke now.
God is, perhaps, laughing with me. I hope so.
Andrew, I doubt that you can know what an inspiration you are to all of us. A model of courage, faith and strength in the Lord. You remind me of a guy I am reading about named Scott Everton.
Sy, wow…thank you SO MUCH!
I truly hope you’re enjoying the story. I did enjoy writing it.
Thank you for this list, Tamela. I just completed decluttering my office. I still have a ton of books, but I did cancel some subscriptions.