I decided you all did not really need to see another science experiment this week! Thats all I have on the camera! We did lots this week. Just nothing out of the norm that would make a great show and tell. I also think my gals are using most of the photos for their show and tell.
With the holidays approaching I thought I would share a biblical view of creating margin in our lives. We are all so very "busy". Each of us so very talented at multitasking and caring for our families. But do we make room for "margin" in our lives? How does the world define Margin? How does God define Margin? I am not an expert and certianly not the best writer. But here are a few facts and thoughts.
Websters Dictionary defines margin as:1. The part of a page that is above, below, or to the side of the printed part. 2.The place where something (such as a piece of land) stops : the edge of something. 3. an extra amount of something (such as time or space) that can be used if it is needed ▪ a safety margin. If you have little or no margin for/of error, it means that you need to be very careful not to make mistakes. If you have a greater margin for/of error, you can be less careful. 4. a measurement of difference.
Gods Idea of Margin
Pursue Contentment
Begin to find margin by examining your motives.
Ecclesiastes 4:4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Are you striving for more than you need?
"When I look deeper at the life of Christ, I…notice that there is no indication he worked twenty-hour ministry days. He went to sleep each night without having healed every disease in Israel – and he apparently slept well. Neither did he minister to everybody who needed it. Neither did he visit or teach everybody who needed it. There were needs that he simply chose not to meet. Even when Lazarus became sick, Jesus was shockingly slow to mobilize. I would have had a helicopter there in twenty minutes. But Jesus delayed for two days.
Is this to imply that he was lazy or didn’t care? Of course not. But it is to imply that he understood what it meant to be human…Jesus understood what it meant to prioritize and to balance in light of those limits and how to focus on the truly important. We can learn a lesson from Jesus – it’s okay to have limits. It’s okay not to be all things to all people all the time all by ourselves. "(The Overload Syndrome by Richard Swenson )
John 17:4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.
Rest
Do we really honor this commandment?
Exodus 20:9–10 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your...
Psalm 127:2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Matthew 11:28–30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Oh, you are so wise! This year we have a great balance going on between work and rest. In years past, I was unbalanced and suffered. I drew a line in the sand, dug in my heals and started saying "no" to things! Thanks for this reminder. I pray others who need to hear this will take your words to heart.
ReplyDeleteJenn
Great thoughts, and an important reminder during this busy season! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Kym
Oh, Tina, what a lovely post! Some of it got lost in my still-waking-up mind, so I will be back to re-read it later. All of these things are thoughts that I have been pondering lately, though, so your post is timely indeed (at least for me!).
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend, Sweetie!
love,
Shani
"Margin." Nice way of putting it. I like the verse where Jesus says, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." It really works! There have been times when I've really been at peace and resting when there's no logical reason for it. It's the Lord!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and full of inspiration for today and this weekend! Thank you for sharing and stopping by my blog.
ReplyDelete~Mrs.Cuddles
Beautiful post and full of inspiration for today and this weekend! Thank you for sharing and stopping by my blog.
ReplyDelete~Mrs.Cuddles
That is a good message and one that we all needed to hear. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I do always enjoy seeing your science experiments!
Pam
Girl, Thank you!! My visit today was WONDERFUL!!! You have so ministered to me today!!! Music, wonderful words of love and encouragement~it doesn't get any better than that!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so dead on with this!!! Thank you for the wonderful reminder!!!
This is an AWESOME show and tell!!!
((((HUGS))) to you my sister in Christ!!!
Robyn
Tina,
ReplyDeleteThank you soooooooooo much for sharing this. I will be praying and meditating on the scripture and pray for the Lord to lead me in my steps. As you know I have been very stretched and haven't been feeling peace. And I have been craving it. I am examing my life right now. I feel if I make a mistake I don't have any margine. ((sigh)) I am praying for still waters.
Blessings and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary
This is a GREAT encouragement! With our home being nearly completed (a bit later than expected but okay) I feel very overwhelmed with homeschooling two teens and all we do and then to move. I was asked to take on the church Christmas program costumes and I felt badly saying I could not but I know with all we have to do ....it's just too much right now. I'd be driven crazy trying to do too much. I had to graciously decline and have had to step down from a few other volunteer things as well. My family needs to come first and my sanity.
ReplyDeleteI have to remember I am not saved by works at all. I'm already saved no matter what.
Thank you for posting about this!
In Him, our Wonderful Savior!
Marie
Amen Sister! We all need margin.
ReplyDeleteCarol
Great scripture references, Tina. The reason I am checking out S&T Friday on a Monday is because I have been busy re-setting my 'margins'. Thank you for an inspirational message!
ReplyDelete"It’s okay not to be all things to all people all the time all by ourselves"
ReplyDeleteI love this quote! This is exactly what I've been trying to tell my best friend for years. I will have to send her over here to read your post.
Thank you for the reminder to slow down, take time, and put God first.
A great reminder to all of us!
ReplyDeleteAntoinette