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Ministries Unlimited Thought For The Week (#18)

Reflection on Accomplishments

Labor Day marks the end of summer and the approach of cooler autumn weather. It is a time of change—in the weather, in our plants and trees, and in our lives. I love this time of year! The colors of the trees can be breathtaking. The more rain we receive, the more color they seem to display.

Just like trees, our lives need watering, too. As we see the end of the year approaching, this is a good time to reflect on what we have accomplished.

I had very lofty goals for spring and summer, but my family also had plans for my time. Cleaning out my sister's yard so she could sell her house, signing up for more community events, crewing for my son during his ultramarathon, dog-sitting, and helping friends all took precedence over my garden and yard. Then the hot weather hit!

With cooler weather on the horizon, I have been weeding and planning a new layout for raised garden beds, an herb garden, a greenhouse, and a seating area. Hopefully, this new design will take less effort to maintain.

As we reflect on our accomplishments, it is important to look at how and where we spend our time. Faith, family, and community are where I put the majority of my effort. But making time for yourself is important, too—just like watering your plants helps them grow. Taking time for ourselves helps us gather our thoughts, reflect, regroup, and renew.

I get up early to spend time with God and stay up late watching favorite old shows. It makes for a long day, but I feel renewed in my faith each morning and relaxed each evening. Don't get me wrong! I have days when I feel down or stressed, but they are fewer each year.

As I study more of the Bible, I find myself questioning where I am most fruitful. Is it in the time I spend in faith, with family, or in my community?

I realized that as I have grown in my knowledge of the Bible, I have also grown in my appreciation for the beauty around me. The sunrise each morning, the birds singing, the animals playing in the yard, the scenery, and the sunset each night all make me stop and reflect on what God has created.

The colors and views can be absolutely breathtaking! How can anything I accomplish even begin to compare? It can't. But through the grace of God, I can help others. Through God, all things are possible.

Faith has also brought me a greater appreciation for my family, friends, and community. I cherish the time I spend with family. Having lost most of my family to cancer, illness, or age, I have come to understand just how few days we really have with the people we love.

This year has brought the loss of a family member, a few longtime friends, and one of my son's school friends. Life on this earth is fleeting. Use the time you have wisely.

It takes just as much effort to be joyful and happy as it does to be crabby and unhappy. Choose joy. Your life will be so much more fulfilling.

Take time to have that coffee, lunch, dinner, or movie date with your parent, child, friend, or spouse. Those moments may seem small, but they are the moments we will remember.

Give back to your community.

It always amazes me how giving this community is. Whatever we ask, you provide. It is why we are trying to make an even greater impact on the community.

There are families struggling, kids who couch surf, adults living in their cars, and many others who need our help. How do I make sure that we are doing our best? I pray for eyes to see and ears to hear what the community needs.

This is why we are working to build a new facility and expand our services. The needs vary, but there are needs.

And as I look back on this year, I realize that accomplishments aren't always measured by what we planted, built, cleaned, or checked off a list. Sometimes our greatest accomplishments are found in the time we give to others, the relationships we nurture, the faith we grow, and the lives we touch along the way.

Perhaps that is the kind of fruitfulness God is asking me to consider.