People, not programs...

Fifteen days off means a lot of lost time. The past week has been a catch up week, of sorts. Lots of meetings. Lots of food. Lots of laughter. Lots of deep calls. Lots of celebration.

I tend to fill my schedule and follow it to a T. And there was a tight schedule, but also a lot of unforeseen circumstances occurred last week. Friends wanted to chat and housemates needed help, so my normal, and less important routines, had to wait.

It frustrated me for a couple of minutes, but I would stop my normal work to do the thing that I knew was more important. And then, finally, after a few times of this happening, I realized that my friends, my students, and my housemates were more important than me answering all of my e-mails or sending out my fundraising letters.

E-mails and fundraising letters are important, but it wasn't in that situation. I could hear God's voice clearly saying to me, "My people are more important. Care for My people. Be there for them."

And in retrospect, I did need to be there for His people because my menial tasks fell into place. The teaching at large group came quickly. The letters and e-mails were finished in an afternoon, while hanging out with one of my key leaders as she did her school work.

So God, let me not forget that Your people are more important that my programs and schedules.