In Case of Emergency.....

If you have ever flown on an airplane, you have undoubtedly seen and heard the stewardess go through what you should do in case of emergency.  They always say make sure you put your oxygen mask on first if you have children or someone traveling with you who might need help.   That way you will be able to help them. If you wait, you may not be able to get yours on and then noone will be able to take care of your kids.

 I remember always thinking - "I would want to put my kids' masks on first."

Yesterday, getting ready for church, I was thinking about this scenario.  Perhaps it came to my mind because I was the last one getting ready.  I had made the older two take showers, fed the baby, picked out clothes for all the boys, and finally had about 10 minutes to dry my hair, put on make-up and get out the door.  Honestly, that is how most Sunday mornings go.  Some of it is because I enjoy sleeping in a little later on Sundays.  But mostly, I just usually make sure they are ready before I get ready.  Somehow, I think that may be backwards.

As a Mom, I know many of my other "Mom" friends are equally guilty of the practice of putting themselves last.  We would never think of skipping our child's well check at the pediatrician, but rarely have yearly physicals at the doctor's office ourselves.  We worry about them eating right, getting enough exercise, getting to bed on time.  But we tend to eat as we drive or not at all, run them to and from activities with little or no time for our own exercise and fall into bed much later than we should each night!

What about spiritually?  Are we putting our relationship with God above all the other things we juggle?  Do we put reading His word and spending time in prayer above catching up on TV shows we have DVR'd or March Madness?  I love basketball but it should not take precedence over my time with God.  Running my kids should not come first.  Having a clean house should not come first.  Being the person, wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, Counselor and church member should come first and the ONLY way for me to fulfill those roles in the way HE calls me to is to PUT HIM FIRST.

By putting HIM first, I am putting on my oxygen mask first so I can properly take care of everyone else around me.

By putting HIM first, I am ensuring that my tasks are Christ-centered and directed.

By putting HIM first, I am gaining His perspective and patience to see my tasks to completion.

By putting HIM first, I will see the opportunities before me that pop up in my day and seize the chance to do something in HIS name.  Knowing they are directed by him, I won't fall to pieces when my "plan" or schedule gets messed up.

PLEASE hear me saying that I am NOT conquering this!  I am still a work in progress and simply sharing my conviction with you.

Will you join me?  Will you try to put on your oxygen mask first?  Will you try to make God your first priority?

Do you have any tips of how to make this work for you?  How do you prioritize time with God in your home?