“I wish I just had a few more hours in my day!”

Ever say that? Bet you have. I’m not sure I’ve ever met someone who said they had enough time in their day. I know I say this on a regular basis. There are so many things vying for my time. I want to write. I have to homeschool. I need to clean (oh my goodness, do I need to clean… and purge). But I can’t seem to get it all done. Never. If I’m excelling in one area, you can bet that the rest of the areas are suffering.
But I know God has called me to specific things. In addition to being a wife and mother, I am a writer and homeschooler. So God, if you want me to do these things you are going to have to work a miracle!

And He says, if you want a miracle, you have to put a little effort forward.

Ouch.

You mean like the how the man had to GO and wash himself in the pool to be healed? Right.

Okay. But I can’t do this by myself.

He knows that. He’s called me to what is beyond me. So I commit to what He’s called me to and then show up. And you know what? He’ll show up too.

So practically speaking, how does that work?

Make your schedule work for you! It’s just a tool. If it’s not working, sharpen it.

I’m constantly tweeking our “schedule” to what actually works. And that’s constantly changing! Especially with little kids, what works one month is out the window the next. (Can I get an Amen!?)

We school on a six on, one off cycle (aka Sabbath Schooling), and I reevaluate our routine every break week and sometimes in between. When we came back from Christmas break last week we tried to do a loose version of what we had been doing before break, and it helped me see what we really need time-wise right now. I’ve also been contemplating how I can find the time to make my writing goals become a reality. Writing blog posts and fiction, editing and revising, all take time. And they’ll never happen if I don’t make them a priority. So it’s time to schedule working hours.

I found the perfect time for that to work for me right now. Lunch time! I’m committing to fixing lunch for the kids and then going back down to my desk and working while I eat. This is also the time of day I’m at my best. It’s easy for me to focus (once I get going anyway…) and the kids are already a little sick of me so they bug me very little. Now the kids will have a two hour long lunch time because it’s mommy’s work time. I heard NO complaints when I told them that. 🙂

It does mean our school day goes a little later, but it was doing that some days anyway. But I think it’ll work. We only have three weeks left to this term so I don’t feel like I’m making a huge commitment to this schedule either. If it doesn’t work, I’ll change it up next term.

Here’s our new schedule:
6:30 Get up and workout (I’m not a morning person, but I feel so much better when I make this happen – I’m also making sure I’m in bed at 11 so I can get up.)

7:30 Unload dishwasher, Breakfast, and My Morning Time (includes my Quiet Time and hopefully other reading)

8:30 Shower and get ready for school

9:30 Morning School Time

This includes Morning Time, Bible, and a snack break

Then K does Phonics, Math (seatwork) Handwriting, Spelling, and Independent Reading

Kj does Reading, Phonics, Spelling

12:00 Lunch and Play Time

I make lunch and then get to work around 12:30

2:00 Afternoon School Time

K does Math (lesson), Reading with Mom, and Language(Grammar)

Kj does Math and Handwriting then plays (or listens to me work with K)

Then we do History (Mon/Thurs) or Science (Tues/Fri) together

Then it’s time for chores!

At 5:00, or sooner if we’re done, they are free to play while I make dinner.

Notice that I didn’t plan specific times for each of our activities or subjects. I found life works much better that way. We flow through a routine nicely. We just do the next thing on the list until everything is done. I have alarms set on my phone for starting school, lunch, and afternoon school to anchor us a little, otherwise we won’t get anything done. But I feel good about this. I think it’s going to work.

What’s crazy is that it’s like I’ve gained a couple hours in my day, and I have no idea how! Okay, I do know. God did it. When we obey Him, He provides. It’s like the jar never runs empty.

Now it’s time for me to work it. It will take some sacrifice. I have to tell facebook that “I’m doing a great work and I can’t come down.” (Nehemiah 6:3 ESV – Check out this sermon for more on that). I’ve got more important things to do with my time than scroll facebook or browse Pinterest. I’ve made that verse my lock screen on my phone so that I have to think about that before I go mindlessly scroll facebook.

My “word” for this year is zeal. I’m going to attack life with a zealous determination including telling my time how I want it to be use, and I choose God’s glory. I want to WILL fulfill God’s call on my life. He’s writing His story in my life. And I am so excited to live it.

Your turn! Would you comment and answer one of the following two questions (or both)?

What are your tips and tricks to finding more hours in your day?

How have you seen God provide for you when it seemed impossible?

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