You had me at "Overwhelmed"...

Overwhelmed. Miserable. Exhausted. We know the feeling well. As wives and mothers with toddlers and teenagers, and husbands who serve as local church pastors, we often feel pulled in five directions at once. We've learned there is no such thing as simply a busy month or a busy year. It's a busy life, pure and simple. Around every corner is another potential hospitality, another counseling opportunity, another church meeting, another diaper to change or carpool to run.

But we also have learned from God's Word that it is possible to deal with life's demands without becoming overwhelmed, miserable, and exhausted. We can surmount the numerous responsibilities that threaten to wear us down. More than that, we can actually do all that God has called us to do.

"Ha," you laugh. "You've got to be joking! Do it all? You haven't seen my to-do list. It's longer than an unwound roll of toilet paper!"

A fantastic claim, we know. But it's true. We can accomplish everything God has ordained for us to do in this life. (Hint: It's probably not half of what's on your to-do list.) And we an do it in a peaceful, joyful manner and get sufficient rest besides.

With encouragement like that in the introduction, I was scared NOT to read the rest of this book. For reals.

Plus, it's only 95-ish pages of nice-sized print, written in a conversational tone, to make for a solid, quick read, which is only fitting, dontchathink, for a book about time management.

True to all Mahaney-women books I've read (Feminine Appeal and Girl Talk), this book is grounded in God's Word. It's not another time management program (thank goodness), but a reminder of godly principles that underlie a life well-lived for His glory.

I've always believed that the Bible is the handbook for all of life. You know, the Creator wrote it and revealed everything we need to know to live life on His earth well. It's essential reading. Yet sometimes, OK... a lot, I find myself benefiting from other women who are "a little further down the road" than I am. Their insights go a long way towards unlocking the practical applications of God's Word.

For this book Carolyn, Nicole, Kristin, and Janelle take Ephesians 5:15-16 -- "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." -- and unpack it for those of us who are temporally-challenged. Based on five tips for making the most of 24/7/365, the book is full of advice and encouragement to choose the best bargains in exchange for our time in a manner similar to the way we choose great deals in exchange for our dollars. Actually 24/7/365 isn't totally accurate. These uber-smart ladies base the day on 16 waking hours. Wow, could I have used that concept this past year of teaching!

And yet, our God is the Redeemer of all things, including time. What great news! I'm setting the alarm for 5AM, printing out the One Year Bible Reading Plan, and scheduling a personal retreat BEFORE the 2010-2011 school year kicks off.

Gotta go now. I've got people to see and things to do... While you're online, though, why don't you check out Shopping for Time?