Balancing Busy LivesSample

We've all been there—frantically jumping out of bed, realizing we've overslept, and suddenly the whole day feels off-kilter. The alarm didn't go off, the kids are dragging their feet, and panic sets the tone for everything that follows.

I’ve been there more times than I can count.

But here's what I love about God's gentle heart toward us: even in those rushed mornings, He's still whispering, "Hey, daughter, did you forget something?"

We find the same thing happening to the people of Israel in the book of Haggai. When we read Haggai 1:2-7, we see that instead of putting God first and rebuilding the temple like they had been instructed in Ezra 1:2-4, they became busy making themselves the priority. They were building homes, planting crops, and creating beautiful lives for their families. Nothing wrong with any of that! But somewhere along the way, they got so caught up in the good stuff that they forgot the God stuff. God’s house, the temple,was still in ruins while their own houses were perfectly paneled and put together.

Then, Haggai in 1:5-7 challenges the Israelites through the prophet Haggai to consider their ways and their priorities.

Sound familiar? We all can get so busy building our lives—managing schedules, meal planning, keeping up with laundry, advancing our careers—that we accidentally push God into the margins. We stop spending time, we forget to pray, we lose sight of His will for our lives. Not intentionally, but gradually, and quietly. But God is so gracious that he will invite us back to him. It may not always be gentle however it’s always loving.

Do you feel the pull from God to redirect your time and affections toward Him? How about starting today?

Today's Heart Check: Take a moment and honestly ask yourself: What gets my first attention each day? What am I building first—my own kingdom or God's?

Prayer: Father, forgive me for the mornings I've rushed past You. Help me remember that before I tackle my to-do list, I need to sit at Your feet. Even when I'm running late, remind me that You're never in a hurry, and neither should I be when it comes to spending time with You. Amen.