Thanks so much to everyone who has left a comment on one or more of these postings.  You honor our Father with your openness and insightfulness.  Like I wrote in the first post, I know that our experience is not unlike what many of you are going through or have gone through in your lives.  We desire to be accountable parents, supportive and loving spouses, dedicated and value added employees, and overcoming, evil stomping believers!  So the challenge is out there for us to be in order and balance with what never seems to be enough hours in the day for everything.  Throughout these writings the Scripture that continuously bounces around my spirit is Ephesians 6:13-14 and the message to me so loud and clear is that I need to put on the “whole armor of God” and when I have done all I can do to stand (let God take over) and “STAND therefore”!

Loren made a wonderful point when he wrote that “it is imperative that we spend time with God and His Word looking for direction, comfort, and encouragement”.  I have certainly taken that to heart and in my quiet time at the start of my day I am attempting to be careful to hear God’s direction and let that be my rudder.  Lara, Jen, and Jeff all reinforced this by their suggestions of giving God the “first fruits” of my time in the day, “spending early morning time with Him”, and seeking “solitude” early in the morning.  By the way Taste and See by Israel Houghton is one of my favorite songs.  Thanks for reminding me about that one Jen.

Mike’s comment about learning a lot about me just by reading my schedule is pretty cool.  I didn’t think of it that way at all before reading that but you are right my brother.  Thank You!  As I have reflected on what I/my family do/does every day, I am constantly monitoring to give it the Litmus test of “does this activity glorify God or is it glorifying man?”  Helps me stay on track and make better decisions about what I do with my time and how I lead my children to prioritize their activities.

Michael’s comments touched me very deeply as well.  Because of what you have taught me brother I am “happier in the chaos” and excited about the honor that God has given me to be husband, father, and a professional.  I don’t ever want to get to a point in my life when I start taking these “gifts” for granted.  And the image of God being “right there with us” when I am spending time with my kids.  Whew, that blows me away!  He is a personal God and that is such a blessing to think of Him looking over our shoulders as we spend time together.  It also explains how my 6-year old can always find my battleship!  I always suspected that God was helping him.  LOL

Jen in Maryville thank you so much for the book suggestion!  I am very much looking forward to reading it and peeling off some great lessons from it.

Lastly I will write about one more point because I don’t want to put everyone to sleep as I realize this is getting rather long.  Kind of a bloggers no, no!  J  But everyone’s comments are so appreciated and I thank God for all of you.  Deb and I know a few others in some private messages outside the blog comments talked about “using every spare minute” to spend time with God.  This is a huge takeaway for me as I will continuously strive to “Maximize the Moments” in my life.

And Rhonda I WILL “keep on listening”.  Thank you sister!