When You Need Some Eternal Encouragement...

Last Friday evening, I sat down to write a review about Eternal Encouragement magazine....and I didn't want to do it!

You see, I felt a little...or a lot...stressed.  I had overcommitted myself.  Too much blogging, too much housework, too much schooling, too much soccer, too much crying, too much disobedience, too much cooking, too much visiting.  You get the picture.

And then....just like that, my computer crashed.

Seriously.

I was frantic.  I didn't have another computer with internet access, and I finally had an evening to get all of my posting ready to go.  But I couldn't.

The next morning was Saturday, so I made a few quick calls to see if anyone could fix my computer.  The first company I tried was going to need 5 business days!!  Argh.

The next company could do it that day -- for an extra charge. 

I got it fixed. 

(It actually ended up costing just $10 more than the first company -- and I had it back that night.  Thank goodness!)

*What does this have to do with my review?

My computer was infected with various malware and spyware and whatever kinds of stuff computers get (I'm very technical about all of that -- can't you tell?) -- and my computer was obviously not protected very well.

I had not taken the time to do the routine maintenance I needed to do.

It made me think a little bit about how my life gets cluttered up with stuff. Sometimes bad stuff -- sometimes good stuff. And instead of taking time for regular maintenance, I just get "too busy" and don't take care of it.

The problem is that I will have to deal with it eventually -- and it will be overwhelming by that point.

Much better to take the time and tackle things before they grow too big!

*Umm, what does this have to do with the review again?!!

Well, after my computer crashed...I had some spare time on my hands.  So, I began to read, and, wouldn't you know it?  Just like my review a few months ago, God used it to speak to me about how I had misused my time -- routine maintenance isn't just for computers -- it's for people, too! 

This month's issue of Eternal Encouragement was filled with articles about T-I-M-E.  The importance of time, ways to stop wasting time, utilizing a timer, etc.  Plus, there were plenty of other helpful, encouraging articles (and some convicting ones, as well)! 

There were so many wonderful little nuggets of wisdom I could share with you - like this acronym for time:

T:  Treasure it.  All time should be treated like the treasure it is.  We only have a set amount, and once it's gone, it's gone forever.
I:  Invest in it.  Spend your time just like you spend your money:  wisely, with careful, thought-out decisions.
M:  Make memories with your time.  Turn everyday necessary jobs into events with your children and make daily chores fun.
E:  Eternally.  The best measure against which to consider all time spent it to ask yourself, "Is this eternally valuable?"

For me, in my role as mom, time either seems to go too slow or too fast.  Those colicky evenings with my firstborn were the slowest days of my life.  On the other hand, the days we spend fishing or playing outside are gone in an instant...

...which made me think of another nugget from the magazine:

A Mother Who Takes Time

(Author Unknown)

I hope my children

Look back on today

And remember a mother

Who took time to play.

There will be time

For cleaning and cooking

But children grow up

While we aren't looking.

What a great blessing to be reminded of what's truly important!  I just wasn't expecting it to be by words in a magazine!

You can subscribe to Eternal Encouragement magazine at http://www.eternalencouragement.com/.  It's an easy-to-read, purse-sized magazine.  Just perfect for those little bits of time you have while waiting.  Definitely encouraging!  Definitely recommended.

*Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of Eternal Encouragement from my participation in TheGabbyMoms.com program!  All thoughts and opinions are my own.