The Current Truth

I began working on my new This Beautiful Life journal/planner/notebook, and once again I’m stymied by my answers.  I see the designated spaces for specific answers and am reticent to write mine down.

My tendency is to be very tentative about what goals I write (thinking if I write it, I’ll be committed to doing it).  One day I might only write a few goals — another day I might write down things that would take two lifetimes to accomplish.   My abstract sequential / concrete random thinking style seems to prevent me from ever making a definitive list.  Have you ever analyzed your thinking style? There are different tests you can take to determine your thinking style — and I’m sincerely not so sure it’s crucial to do it, know what it is, or whatever, but this might help you understand yourself (and particularly your children — and your husband) better, and help you get why you (or they) do things the way you (or they) do them.  Just an idea for you.

So, back to my “priority journal” [Chloe’s: This Beautiful Life] and that box: The Current Truth.  That box shows up on five pages.  There are five sections corresponding to five priorities.  It’s hard for me to narrow down five priorities.  Would that be hard for you?  So, I’m thinking about my priorities: what are they? Why are they important (or, important enough to be in the top five)?  As I think on these things, I have to realize that my priorities and the things I prioritize —by how I spend my time— are not the same thing.  That’s where that  The Current Truth reality box is staring me in the face like a mirror.  And I have to say: wow, my current reality is not where I want to be.  And, if my current truth or current reality is not what I want it to be, what I’m doing each day is actually pulling me away from, or destroying, what I want or where I want to be.  Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. –proverbs 14.1  What I’m doing or how I’m spending my time or money or whatever is quite revealing as to how serious I am about accomplishing my priorities.

You know, there’s another way to get a pretty clear picture of priorities… might be too hard to hear, but ask your husband what he thinks the current truth is regarding a particular priority you have.  Or, maybe you have a son or daughter who could give you invaluable feedback.  Maybe a trusted friend.  Maybe all you need is a pen and paper.  Write down your priorities — what they look like at their best and what’s the current truth?  Better yet, get Chloe’s book.  Honestly, you’ll be so surprised at how life changing, complex and invaluable this simple little book will turn out to be in your life.

So today I’m sitting here, writing things down, looking out over the yard… and, honestly, the way looks stormy and the road looks long.  I don’t want to write anything else down and I don’t want to do what I must.  I don’t want to commit to anything bcz I so often fail and I’m pretty uncertain about a lot of things – things over which I have little control.  And, I don’t want to have another list of stuff I didn’t get to or didn’t do.  I relate to the apostle Paul and think of what he says in Romans 7: “…For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not…” — 7.18-19

But if I don’t press on… well, I sure don’t like where that would leave me — that, and I know I don’t want to be that girl.  So… I press on.  That’s my current truth.  And, it’s because of the Truth that I will do this.   I will seek Him and I will trust Him. That, and I truly do want this to be a beautiful life.

For it is God which worketh in you
both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”
philippians 2.13