Thanks for joining my fur baby and me as we wade through life’s puddles.
I love offering splashes of hope through writing books and speaking.
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3 Secrets to Add More Hours to Your Day
When I told someone “I’m too busy” for the thousandth time this week, I heard that wee, gentle Voice in my heart say, “Quit saying you are too busy.” Oops. I knew the Lord was trying to help me out of my time crunch pit–a place I seem to fall into way too often.
You too? Okay, let’s work together on overcoming those nasty time-stealers. I’d like to share 3 Secrets to Add More Hours in Your Day. These are helps I’ve discovered over the years that work every time… when I work them.
Three Easy Secrets
1. Start the day with prayer. When we put God first, He makes sure we get everything done that needs to be done. Notice I didn’t say “everything we want to do.” Sometimes I have lists of items He never told me to do. I have to be careful that I seek Him, or I bite off more than I can handle, then wig out when I feel pressured to do it all.
2. Identify your challenging areas that trip you up most often and waste your time. These could be watching too much TV, overly-long phone conversations, or hours on social media sites. None of these are wrong; they might be eating more time than we realize, though, leaving us with not enough to do what really matters in our lives.
3. Ask for help. It’s okay to hire someone to clean your house, bathe your dog, wash your car. If you have kids at home, they can help with chores and cooking, even run errands once they start driving. We do our families a disservice when we try to be supermom or super-dad and do it all. When we work as a team, things get done faster. Then we can concentrate on relationships more.
Do What Works
I know, I know. These aren’t really secrets. But they work. Try them and see if you don’t have more hours in your day. Then let me know if you have other ways to get out of the time crunch pit we all seem to put ourselves into from time to time.
What is your favorite way to save time at your house/workplace?
3 Ways to Believe Good Can Come from Bad
This morning a sweet friend and member of our church suddenly passed away. Kevin was called to their home at 5:15 a.m. He followed the ambulance to the E.R. After 45 minutes of trying to bring our friend back, they told her husband she was gone. Sigh.
It’s part of being a pastor, being there for people when they hurt. Sometimes we have no answers. We simply say “I love you and I’m here for you.” Then we pray and trust that in time, God will somehow bring hope to their hurting hearts.
Four hours after returning home, Kev received some news from his doctor that rocked our world: he has pre-diabetes. I’m thankful they caught it early, but still. He will need to make some lifestyle changes that won’t be comfortable–for either of us.
All this just a few days before he flies to the West Coast to star as Jesus in a Passion Play.
How can we hope anything this bad will turn out good? 3 Ways:
- The God we love and follow is good. Although we don’t believe everything we experience comes from God, we trust that He will redeem everything life–or the devil–tosses our way, into a plan to help us grow (See 1 Peter 1:7).
- We see how God has rescued us from every trial in the past. Rehearsing those miracles helps us trust Him for our future. Nothing can separate us from His love (See Romans 8:39).
- We can always find someone hurting more than we are. Visit a nursing home or the children’s wing in a hospital. Listen to the news for two minutes. No matter what we’re going through, someone, somewhere is experiencing a worse predicament than we are. We don’t rejoice in this. But it helps us gain perspective.
Are you going through a rough patch? If so, I’d like to pray for you.
Please leave a 
comment here. I will ask the good Father to bring good from your bad.
Does God Still Work Miracles?
This summer we saw proof that God still works miracles when our daughter and her three kids moved from the Kansas City area to our hometown of Paris, IL. I had prayed for over sixteen years we could be within a 90-minute drive of each other. God did above and beyond what I asked. They now live within a ten-minute drive!
Are you hoping and praying for something that seems impossible? Please write in the comment section of this post how I may join my faith with yours. Together we will prove–again–that God still works miracles!
Trading Places or Problems?
“Would you like to trade places with Sandra?”
I knew that Voice. Had heard it many times, deep in my heart where secrets hid from everyone but Him. This time, it was a wish that I could make money as quick and deftly as my friend, Sandra did. And the Lord was not buying it as an excuse for jealousy.
I thought of Sandra, nearing forty and still unmarried. Although she lived in a lovely home, she had few friends due to her bossy nature, and her family was 12 states away.
Never Mind
I reconsidered my longing to be like her.
“I’m sorry, Lord. I really don’t want Sandra’s life. I’ll keep my own, thank you. But could you please give us a raise, or help us find other ways to make ends meet on our dinky pastor’s salary?”
“That’s better, honey. Of course, I’ll help you. All you had to do was ask. I have plenty to go around for all My kids.”
Sufficient Grace
That little conversation between God and me was many years ago. At times, I am still tempted to think someone else has fewer problems or an easier life than I do do. Then He reminds me that I don’t want to trade places and problems with anyone else.
His grace is sufficient for me, where I’m at today. And He has plenty to go around for all His kids.
Even YOU.
Are you ever tempted ask to trade with someone for their seemingly problem-free life?
About
Hi, I’m Jeanette and I love cats.
Books
Hello, Beautiful! Finally Love Yourself as You Are
DO YOU. . .
- Wish you had a different body, face, or personality?
- Feel less than adequate compared to others?
- Wonder why God created you?
- Often criticize your choices and decisions?
- Long to see yourself through God’s eyes of love?
- Want to live confidently in spite of your shortcomings?
- Realize how valuable you are?
In Hello, Beautiful, Jeanette Levellie and Beth Gormong lead women on a hopeful journey to find lasting beauty in the eye of the beholder: God. This inspirational gift book contains 40 stories based on some of the authors most vulnerable moments, highlighting how God redeemed the pain and taught them how to love themselves. Each chapter of this 40-day soul makeover begins with a Bible verse describing God’s view of us, His precious creation. Chapters end with a special feature, a journaling prompt giving readers the opportunity to apply the principles.
Hello Beautiful is designed specifically for women who feel the familiar internal pressure to perform without the satisfaction of hearing “Well done.” We find it too easy to think and speak hurtful words about ourselves while building up other’s self-esteem. Hello Beautiful strives to point out those lies, and replace them with the Truth. Learn the secrets of seeing yourself through love’s viewpoint and shake off feelings of inadequacy. Finally find the courage to look in the mirror and say, “Hello, Beautiful!”
Touchable God
Every Christian longs for a sweet, personal walk with God, talking openly with their Heavenly Father and hearing from Him. Touchable God addresses this longing, helping you find a joy-filled relationship with the Lord instead of a joyless religion.
In Section I Jeanette shares stories from her own journey in prayer. Written in her hallmark warm, casual style, these candid glimpses into Jeanette’s tests and trials will help you believe the Lord’s willingness to be involved in every area of your life.
Section II consists of Jeanette’s bold, often poetic prayers for friends in crisis. You need answers, and the Scripturally-based prayers will help you approach God’s throne to find them. Touchable God gives caring friends, family members, and ministry leaders specific prayers for others’ needs and guides you in praying for yourself during crises.
The Heart of Humor: Sixty Helpings of Hilarity to Nourish Your Soul
Welcome to a vacation from stress, worry, and global whining. Learn the secrets of how laughter helps you:
- live longer,
- deepen your relationships, and
- trust a God with the sense of humor that gives a 90-year-old lady a baby.
In her sassy, mocha-out-the-nose style, Jeanette Levellie takes readers on a hilarious journey of 45 short stories with titles like Quit Pinching my Fruit, Confessions of a Jailbird, and Swimsuit Shopping Stress.
Nestled among the stories are comical drawings by a professional animator, articles, and lists revealing the superpowers of laughter such as Got Pain? Laugh it Away, Everybody Loves Dummies, and Ten Ways to Help Yourself Laugh.
Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top
What do drive-by diaper stores and God have in common?
When is blabbing an acceptable habit?
Why should you beware of moths and slugs?
In her entertaining, uplifting style, award-winning author and humorist Jeanette Levellie weaves 72 devotional stories with life-affirming spiritual truths. These spirit-nourishing, daily devotions show how God’s favor and grace can comfort, encourage, and bring peace.
• Learn to laugh when you find cow patties in your field of daisies;
• Discover the childlike joy of climbing into God’s lap and spilling your soul to Him;
• Grow in your acceptance of yourself and others;
• Open your heart to believe the Lord’s oceanic love for you.
• Welcome a vacation from stress as you discover the sweetness of Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top.
