Realizing Provision

I would like to read a book of life hacks for people who live slowly. Perhaps it could tell me how to avoid becoming overwhelmed when there are more items on my list than hours in which to do them. Perhaps it could help me discern which parts of the speed at which I accomplish tasks are results of my personality, and which parts are results of unhealthy and inefficient habits.

I am concerned, however, that the people who identify with my problem of “slowness”, and are therefore equipped to write this book, have never got around to it.

Sometimes I think about writing.

I think about ways to develop my writing skills to work toward writing a book someday.

To learn to write, I need to write.

But do I write? No.

Well, not a flat “no.” I have written this week, but I don’t know if narrative evaluations for my second graders’ report cards count. At some point during the task, I tried to relieve some stress by writing a narrative evaluation for myself. It went like this:

“Miss Kerra is progressing surely, but slowly, in her report card narratives. She is careful in her work and works well independently. Sometimes, she requires support (cheesecake) and reminders to stay focused on the task at hand. She is easily distracted. In general, she needs a lot of help and prayer. It is a pleasure to have Miss Kerra in Grade 2, and it is especially a pleasure that this is her last time to write real narratives this year.”

I know that there will be seasons in which I do not have time for extra things. I think the past few weeks was one of those seasons. At the same time, there are things that I will never do if I do not make time for them even in busy seasons.

I am grateful for the things that contributed to my busy life in recent weeks.

I got to be part of a singing group called “Heart Cry.” It was a privilege to learn, laugh, pray, and lift Jesus high with these people.

I am grateful for my job and how it constantly stretches me and reminds me of my need for wisdom and patience beyond myself.

I got to connect with friends and family over meals multiple times lately, and those times are such treasures.

I am grateful for many, many caterpillar circles, and that they mean my students are reading books. (And I am grateful for a kind mom who wanted to help me cut the circles out.)

As we transition back into a world with more opportunities, events, and busyness in general, I have many questions. I want to know how to care about connection, generosity, sustainability, skill-development, sleep, learning, reflection, and prayer. I will not ask all my questions here, so as not to exhaust you.

But here are two:

1. Is there a book of life hacks for people who live slow-paced lives that you can recommend to me? (Or maybe you can give me a summary in case I don’t have time to read it?)
2. What are your guidelines for choosing and prioritizing the most important things for a certain season of your life when you just do not have time for everything?