I find myself wondering why everything feels like it’s an emergency.

In this world of social media, everything is instant.  We are accustomed to getting things immediately and grow to expect that with the touch of a finger, we will have answers. 

There are many good things about quickly receiving answers, but doing something quickly does not always mean it is done most efficiently.  Expectations are that things will be dropped in a second to accommodate every hiccup in life.  Being flexible is a huge asset in life, but unnecessary chaos in life spells disaster.

My children get frustrated if their issues are not solved quickly.  I find myself assuring my kids that they are not doing anything wrong, but that the project requires more time than they are accustomed to allocating to an activity.  Of course, all of us would like our challenges to be solved instantly, right? 

Regarding me, I see a need to remind myself that in a fast-paced world, it is ok to take time to make educated decisions, to enjoy special days, and to cut out time to serve others.   It is important to be aware of the pace of society, but it is also important to be able to live your life at a pace comfortable for you and your family. 

Time and time again I see decisions being made quickly, but unfortunately, the decisions often lack an efficient and effective grounding.  I make most of my decisions quickly, but I don’t make them without the proper information.  I filter facts rapidly, sort through alternatives, and make a final decision based on my best judgment at the time and lots of prayers.  If I feel that I don’t have the proper information, I leave the decision to God. 

Our everyday emergencies often cause us to miss special activities.  Making choices between the pressures of career, family, and social activities is very difficult.  I quickly try to evaluate my alternatives and consequences.  Can I go enjoy this special day or event and still accomplish my tasks on time?   What are the missed opportunities on both sides?  Can I live with my decision if I miss the event?  These types of questions filter through our brains very quickly regarding our daily emergencies.  I continually pray for direction in my daily decision-making.

The same is true for my time serving others.  Emergencies arise daily, but I work at prioritizing those fires by the degree of heat.  I rarely find an interruption that I can’t work around or figure out a solution.  If the solution takes away my time for service then I rework my schedule to find a new time.  On the rare occasion that I am unable to replace my time to serve others, I feel a void in my week.  I find that my time spent with others is a special part of my week. It recharges my battery.

I try very hard not to let the heat of the moment result in bad decisions.  There will be major emergencies that need to be taken care of from time to time, but daily I focus my thoughts on serving God not fighting fires.

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