Originally from Brazil, I was used to the “Réveillon” celebrations, widely famous for parties that last through the morning hours, while beautiful people glamorously dressed in white crowd the beaches to watch magnificent fireworks.

As it happened, my husband announced that he had to be in bed by 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. As an inventory control manager for a factory, New Year’s Day was the most critical time of the year, and he intended to retain the record of highest inventory accuracy among all the plants of the corporation for the seventh year in a row. He had to be on site at 3 a.m., therefore, our lonesome party ended at 9 that evening.

As much as that experience made me resent inventory control that night, I later realized how vital his commitment to excellence and accuracy had become for his employer.

When he took the job years before, the inventory control department of that particular factory was in disarray. The company was losing millions of dollars in raw materials, as well as finished goods. In one year’s time, my husband was able to change that scenario by implementing daily check points, monthly thorough inventory control counts and standard operating procedures, which the company uses to this day, over a decade after he left that particular job.

I remember him describing how simple daily checks corrected serious production line leaks, and small changes in operating procedures allowed the company to save millions of dollars every year. I was proud beyond measure, and never resented our early bedtime on New Year’s Eve again.

“Take Inventory.” That was the thought that came to my mind on Jan. 1 this year, when I sat down early in the morning with a cup of coffee, my bible and a notebook in hand, ready to write down some objectives for 2017. However, rather than starting a new list without looking back, I felt compelled to take inventory of the year that ended just hours before.

My husband’s conversations about the importance of inventorying “finished and unfinished goods” before starting a new year came to mind. And I realized that I could not expect a successful 2017, unless I took an honest look at where I succeeded and, more importantly, where I failed in the year that ended.

Not long ago, I read the testimony of a compulsive overeater who participated in the “Twelve Steps” recovery program, which is patterned after the Alcoholics Anonymous’ Plan. On step Number Four, the participants are confronted with a different type of inventory:

“(We) make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.”

The inventory I felt compelled to take had nothing to do with the list of things that I had set to accomplish in 2016. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even have one. This inventory would involve searching my heart, while honestly evaluating less tangible items than a to-do list: my walk with God, my relationship with family and friends, my words, attitude, and my desire to serve others.

More than checks on a to do list for the New Year, God wants me to seek first His Kingdom in 2017.
Click To Tweet

While spending a long time inventorying my previous year, I was able to realize that more than successful accomplishments and checks on a to-do list, God is calling me to, as Jesus said, “store up treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

With that sobering thought forefront in 2017, I realize that, if only I “seek first his kingdom and righteousness,” God will guide me and help me accomplish even more than I could think or ask for in this brand-new year.

This article was published in Patricia’s column for the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Faith & Value Section on Saturday, January 7th.

Patricia Holbrook is a Christian author, blogger and international speaker. Her book, “Twelve Inches,” is on sale at Barnes & Nobles, Amazon and retailers worldwide. Visit her website www.soaringwithHim.com. For speaking engagements and comments, email pholbrook@soaringwithHim.com.

The post Take Inventory Before Planning the New Year {Atlanta Journal Constitution Column} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

The first thing I decided to do was u.n.p.l.u.g.

And I did just that.

Other than writing my newspaper columns and uploading some pictures every now and then on Facebook to keep my American family and friends updated, I spent lazy days visiting the beaches in my beautiful country… eating
(without guilt) the foods that I miss so much, and, most of all, enjoying the people I love.

I won’t tell you that it was an easy thing to do. It took a good bit of convincing myself to let go of my busyness.

I’m kinda addicted to it, really.

In my mind… The dishes can’t wait.

The phone buzzes and I must attend to it…

And, sadly, I often catch myself busier doing the things of God than enjoying His presence.

{Shame on me, I know}.

Even one of my favorite past times, which is reading, had slowly become work for me. I would usually have a pile of three to four books that I was reading… all at the same time.

It was c.r.a.z.y.

And it needed to end.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 

This verse, hidden in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount, marked the turning point. It made me think: “I have to decide where my heart is really anchored… for I know there I will find what I truly treasure.”

Is it anchored in being busy in the Name of Jesus… or being devoted to BE like Jesus?

Is it looking for the approval of men… or quietly making Yahweh smile?

Is it doing everything that people ask me to do… or prioritizing my life, following God’s guidance in His Word:

1 – Loving Him above all else (Matthew 22:37)… {which has nothing to do with Kingdom-work madness}…

2 – Loving and caring for my husband and children… {which must include prioritizing time for them}…

3 – Then (and only then)… my ministry work {or secular work for some of you}…

The moment these priorities get messed up, the Holy Spirit sends us signals… and our flesh responds. We become tired, irritable, anxious, jealous… And that which we are supposed to embody – the Fruit of the Spirit – becomes less and less evident in our lives.

Even though we often put on a beautiful, godly front… even though we may say all the right things and look so very holy and separated from worldly things…. deep down inside, we know it:

We need to go back to our First Love.

Sometimes, that takes more than just reading our Bibles and praying. It takes cleaning the plate. Unplugging, resting, and realigning our priorities.

Because we have to remind ourselves that God will not do His work in the direction of His promises for us, if we deliberately step ahead of Him, doing things that He never meant for us to do, knocking down doors that were never meant to be opened anyway.

Our busyness does not rush God. It just quenches our joy and kills our purpose in life.
Click To Tweet

Do you feel stretched to the max today, my friend?

Have you lost your joy, maybe even in the middle of doing God’s work? Or while doing something you used to absolutely love?

How long has it been since you rested your mind from social media frenzy?

How long has it been since you left all the cares of the world aside, and paused to look at nature, enjoy the laughter of your children, or love your spouse in complete abandon?

If it’s been a while, it may just be time to do what I did… Stop, unplug, and invite God into your life once again, listening to Him before continuing on the rat race.

In between silly faces, strolls on the beach, fresh fish and easy conversations with the people I love, I found the rest my body, mind and soul so longed for.

I found myself again.

And my heart, now finding room to breathe, found its way back to my First Love.

In the meantime, this new found peace translated into a new desire to start taking better care of my body and my heart… to laugh more often and even perhaps discover a new hobby.

I’d prescribe it to any Christian caught up in the business of doing instead of being (still and knowing He is God):

Take time to Unplug… And for Heaven’s sake, for your sake, for your family’s sake…

Tell yourself to BREATHE.

You may not be able to go on a sabbatical like I did. But you certainly can put limits on your busyness. You just have
to be willing to openly reevaluate your life and routines.

Life is a beautiful gift… and it goes by so.very.fast.

May God help us all to take time to smell the roses, lest we live a meaningless, tired life, and miss His perfect purpose for us.

Do you have any ideas you may want to share with us on how to take time to BREATHE in the midst of YOUR crazy? I would love to read your comments!

The post Stress: Joy Quencher & Purpose Killer appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.