Terrific Tuesday: Let's Focus on Being Wise

Most of you know that I participate in NaNoWriMo in November. 

I started out strong on November 1 and wrote 1,824 words. I didn't have any story ideas before I started, but a bit of a plot developed as I wrote furiously that evening.

The next day, I had second thoughts. Gary suggested that maybe I could better spend the time working on some of the projects I already have started instead of doing NaNoWriMo this year.

Not do NaNoWriMo? But I've always done NaNo, I thought.

Still, I could see his point. I'm always whining about not having time to write...and then I'm going to spend well over fifty hours this month writing a story that probably won't turn into anything?

I got really sad thinking about not continuing this tradition, but I realized it would be wise to give it up and spend time this year on other things.

I have a very rough draft of a novel waiting to be worked on. I have a book on depression in the works. I procrastinated and have some other things to work on before the end of the year.

Yes, I decided, I'll have to give up NaNoWriMo. Too bad. 

I went to the computer and checked out my author info at the NaNoWriMo site. It said I had signed up about twelve years ago and it had stats going back to 2011.

2011: The Secretary...464 words (a pitiful attempt)

2012: No Answer...5639 words (I got a little more serious)

2013: My Title Will Come After About 20,000 Words...50,049! 

          (I can't even remember the plot of that one!)

2014: Clone Wars...50,037! (This one had lots of short stories in it)

2015: A Very Depressing Story...50,178!

I won three years in a row! And then:

2016: Gratitude...25,224

I hadn't even remembered that I hadn't won last year. I thought that I always had to win if I did it. Not true. I can still participate, and it's fun to win, but I don't have to win at all costs. This year, other things need my attention, too.

I want to be wise, and I'm learning that wisdom involves sacrifice.

Being wise might mean setting aside some activity we've always done so that we can do what needs to be done. 

Being wise might mean leaving the bag of candy corn at the store and picking up a bag of apples instead.

Being wise might mean turning off the TV and picking up our Bible.

Being wise definitely means looking to God to see what He has in mind for us. 

Some years it might be winning NaNoWriMo, but other years it might be finishing that other book.

I feel better tonight. I may not "win" NaNo this year, but I'll participate. I'll try to get my work done during this month and see if I can find some time once in a while to add to my word count.

I'll try to use my time wisely in the coming year so I can free up time next November to write those 50,000 words and win.

Until then, I'm sure I'll have lots of opportunities to make good choices and practice being wise.

"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV)

Do you make wise choices? How can focusing on God help you to let go of things you "have" to do and do what He has in mind for you instead?

Focus Friday: Let's Focus on Fools

This morning Gary could have choked on a Gobstopper when he went to take a couple of Ibuprofen from the container on top of the fridge. Turns out the medicine was in the candy jar close by. I chuckled as he went off to watch the morning news and then I went to the sink to get some water for my oatmeal. Water shot onto my shirt and halfway across the kitchen before I realized what was happening and shut the faucet off. What? Oh, the handle on the sprayer was taped down. That old trick. I went to the den and showed Gary my wet shirt so he knew that our child had gotten me too. 

I was on high alert the rest of the morning, but no other surprises were waiting. I guess Erin decided to go easy on us. We aren't a family that pranks regularly, but it was kind of fun today.

It got me thinking about fools on this April Fools' Day. Gary and I felt foolish because we were tricked by someone who set us up on this specific day, but how sad is it when someone is a fool every day. 

I'm not talking about you, of course, dear reader. I'm sure you are wise beyond your years, but we all know people who are just...fools. They don't think before they speak. They act first and apologize (maybe) later if they make a mistake. They eat all of their food and spend all of their money and don't plan ahead for the future. 

The Bible has lots to say about fools. Proverbs is full of verses that talk about fools and how they act. They're hotheaded and reckless. They despise wisdom and discipline. They trust in themselves instead of trusting in God. They don't learn from their mistakes. "As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly." (Prov. 26:11) Sorry for the gross word picture, but maybe thinking about that disgusting image will keep us away from foolishness.

I'm not joking when I urge you to do the exact opposite of everything I just said about fools. Be patient and careful. Seek wisdom and practice discipline. Trust completely in God. Learn from your mistakes. And keep your eyes open on April Fools' Day.

"The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice." (Proverbs 12:15 NIV)

Did anyone pull a prank on you today? Laugh it off and determine not to be a fool. How can focusing on God help you to be wise and stay away from foolishness?