Again I'm Analyzing Time

The value of time is one of those things that I just keep considering.  I don't want to obsess over the topic, but in the reality of this world, the way we use our time is the only thing that is really exclusively within our own control.  The past three and a half years has been a time of coming to a greater understanding of this gift from our Creator, that we spend, often with little thought and great abandon.

Our days are numbered.  Y'hshuwah spoke succinctly about how much in life we can't control and how little we can actually change, and yet the way we spend the time we're given is within our control.  In looking back, I have obviously made some poor investments when it comes to how I spent my time.  I don't want anymore of that!  I'll be 57 years old in a few weeks and I'm taking inventory.  I've invested time in relationships that dead-ended.  I've invested time in projects that were unnecessary, as well as projects that need to be completed.  I'm not a procrastinator, but there have been a couple of rather lengthy projects that have taken some extensive time, now nearing completion.  HalleluYah!

The last few weeks of social media, I found myself feeling that my time could be better spent, and when I return, that is the plan.  The "randomosity" of social media took it's toll on my direction and accomplishment in the past few weeks.  That's not to lay the blame away from my own responsibility, but rather to recognize that it must be managed.  I was attempting to be far more interactive than I am, and I was also trying to protect private alternative health information.  Just in my very short break, two ideas have come to mind to address both concerns.

As to my attempt to be interactive, I'm an introvert and I've been led to establish this place for folks who will gather in community, as well as encourage others who have been led to do the same.  I have not been led to establish this place for folks who see the calamity coming but are still dependent upon the system, while scoping out a place to go when society collapses.  Abba did not call me to prepare a place for those who are aware of prophecy but are not preparing.  That same time and effort is to be used to encourage other homesteaders, square foot gardeners, and folks raising chickens in the city.  No more time spent listening to why something can't be done!

Abba is definitely leading me to help others in seeking alternative health modalities and deliverance.  He's enabled me to be available by internet, while offering the information outside of mainstream social media.  I'm still working on some of the details, but it is coming along and certainly worth the time being spent.  Abba has blessed me with information that must be shared in the Name of Y'hshuwah.

Not to be a Lot's wife, but in looking back over the last 3 1/2 years, I wouldn't be ready or able to do what lies ahead, had I continued to invest time and effort on what is not part of the plan.

Time and Taxes

This past week has been very trying.  A great deal of time invested seemed to just explode and implode overnight.  Suddenly, everything had changed.  As I thought about it and pondered the circumstances, I realized, going over it in my mind, seemed parallel to taxes.  Time spent, is just that, spent.  It won't come back, it's gone.  Now to rehash in our mind, too many times, is just more time spent on time that we can't get back.  It's also time spent that will not change the circumstances.  There are serious things going on in the world and a few angry words by a few folks really should not be at the top of the priority list.

As I came to this understanding, I became concerned.  I had reached out to a few people in friendship and others who had privately voiced some struggles and frustrations, and although I thought I was always very clear about what I believe and where I stand, there were suddenly very divisive issues.  I'm responsible enough to know when there seems to be a problem with several at once, I may be the common denominator.    I tend to be a pretty strong, stoic type woman, so when I realized I could just quit questioning what had transpired in several situations, and go on with life, I asked Abba if I was becoming calloused.   

Although I can be a tough cookie and rather socially awkward, I do have a compassionate heart.  I didn't want to become hardened with all the interactive circumstances.  Abba showed me it was not callousness, but a strengthening of the armor.  We use the phrase iron sharpening iron in a rather cavalier manner.  The time already invested in friendship or outreach was time invested in others in the Name of Y'hshuwah and that was as it should be.  It was the rehashing in my own mind that would lead to problems.  By "taxing" the circumstances, we may find ourselves feeling more invested than we actually were.   In rehashing the events, we may give our own contribution a higher value than we should.  We don't know how we ultimately affect the lives of others, or the long range effect they may have on us.

Giving our time to reach out in the Name of Y'hshuwah is what we are called to do.  Responding to accusations impulsively is clearly wrong, but continual rehashing and questioning is adding a tax that is not needed, and may hinder a restoration.      

Time is More Valuable Than Money

I've done a great deal of comparison and differentiation when it comes to time and money versus the world system and the Kingdom, but something very simple dawned upon me this week that has to be shared.  It's such a basic fact, everyone may already know this!  The truth is short and it's up to us as to whether it's bitter or sweet.

Money poorly spent, can often be "made up" if the amount isn't too large.  A poor financial investment can be rectified and the money applied another direction.  Even bad debt can be paid off, or in severe cases, bankruptcy can offer a clean slate.  But time misspent and poorly invested is lost forever . . .  We are each given so many hours in a day, and no one is guaranteed tomorrow.













Money can be made and replaced and the Fed can just print it, but . . . time spent, good or bad, is spent.

Found Money

My daughter and I have this "game" we play when visiting each other when I try to give her product.  When she sends a check, I don't cash it, and when I give her money, she hides it back in my purse.  It's what we do . . .  We are so much alike, when her check book doesn't balance or I find money in some extra spot, we know, we just know!  She and I are both "stashers" when it comes to smaller bills in receiving change,and we both leave a cushioned pad in our balance; but even though we stick it in a pocket or hide a small deposit in our account, we do remember when we come back across it.  It's when we know we didn't lose track of something, we know the other one has "been there!"

Recently I discovered some "found money," and immediately I had that old feeling!  This daughter of mine is tricky and truth be told a little on sly side!  What I had given her, was a gift, so when I discovered some money, I asked her, she was cagey, so I knew; and that was that.  I couldn't send a check, she already knew my trick!

It seems about 12 to 15 years ago, the old adage "found money is to be spent," became a new adage for me.  "Found money isn't figured in, and can be given away!"  My quest became rather interesting and quite touching this week.  I'd been told the grocery store in a nearby town kept "money on hand" for those who came up a bit short.  The food pantry in that town has now moved well out of the downtown area, so it's not really so accessible for those who are in need.  I'd already left some change on occasion, at the store and taken groceries to the food pantry, but when I heard there was actually a fund for this, I went with money in hand.  As it turns out, I'd heard wrong, but . . . they were gracious and agreed it was a good idea and they would implement it somehow.  To be honest, I was a bit embarrassed in that I felt like I drew significant attention to what I thought was just a simple donation.  It was so awkward, it almost stopped me from doing what I did today.  I'm so glad I listened to the voice of Adonai.

I heard Abba leading me to donate some money in the next town, when I went and today was the day. After reading my devotion and doing chores, I checked the phone book, intending to call to check their policy for donations, not wanting to make the same awkward and embarrassing situation this time.  Well, as it turned out, life got busy and I was on the way to town, before I thought of making that phone call.  I certainly wasn't going to be disobedient, but I was truly apprehensive about bringing attention to the endeavor.  By the time I got there, there were only the two women working the front.  I asked for the manager, and one spoke up and said that was she.  I simply stated, "I don't know where the town's food pantry is, but I know this organization operates an outreach beyond the thrift store."  She smiled and said yes, and I put the money in her hand.  She said thank you, I said  you're welcome and out the door I went.

Before I could get in my vehicle, the other woman came out the door in tears.  Now, I had that moment of instant ? . . . Never mind, this is what Abba sent me to do.  As she approached me with a pen and piece of paper, and the tears were flowing, she simply said she wanted to hug me!  Funny, I'd just been telling Abba how much I missed hugs . . .  We hugged and she said their food pantry had run out of food Tuesday.  Now, clearly, I had no way of knowing this.  I don't even live in that town or have that town for an address.  She, was clearly overcome with joy and surprise.  The pen and paper were for me to write my name.  I'm guessing she's going to be praying for me.  I know, I'm certainly going to be praying for her.  And my daughter, Des, is part of this, too!

What a moment of clarity.  Abba led me to a need I could not have possibly known about and that precious woman's prayer was answered, as she reaches out and helps in that community.  Oh, "found money" it has a purpose!  "Found money is to be shared!"