"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:13-14a (NIV)

Without attention, our schedules become a litany of have-tos that so often cover everyone else’s needs but our own. The idea of making time for ourselves might seem frivolous, but caring for ourselves, and pursuing our passions, is part of becoming who God created us to be.

I’m reminded of the importance of making time for our unique gifts and talents by watching my children.

One of my biggest joys in motherhood is seeing my children express their passions. My 6-year-old loves art of every kind. He loves to draw, paint and create. With a marker in his hand, his imagination runs wild.

My 3-year-old daughter loves to sing and perform. Anything can become a microphone, and the world is her stage. You have never heard a more passionate rendition of "Let it Go" than hers.

When my son and daughter wholeheartedly live out their talents, their happiness is contagious and their dispositions are cheerful. The evidence that these passions are God-given is undeniable.

As their mother, I love encouraging their personal expressions, knowing that in doing so, I am helping them to celebrate and live in the way God planned for them. A big part of this encouragement involves giving them ample time to pursue their creativity.

One of the many prayers I have for my children is that they will always make time for their passions. I see how taking time to do the things they love positively impacts their lives.

And you know what? I pray that prayer for myself too, because I know that too often, as adults, we don’t prioritize our passions.

When we invest in ourselves and the talents God gave us, we are more fulfilled individuals. That personal wholeness makes us better wives, moms, friends and co-workers.

Personally, I often use the fringe hours of my day for my creative pursuits. Fringe hours are those pockets of time that often go underused or wasted all together. Yours might be different than mine, but it’s amazing the fringe hours we can find when we look.

Sometimes, maximizing fringe hours means I let go of something else. Maybe the dishes wait or the dusting doesn’t get done, and that is okay. Instead, practicing self-care and being intentional with my time for creative pursuits, helps me better live out the other callings God has on my life.

When I include my own passions in my day, I feel closer to God because I’m proactively pursuing all that He’s made me to be. God didn’t just make me a mother, a wife, a friend — God made me Jessica, a uniquely designed individual with a creative set of passions all my own.

Today’s key verse in Psalms 139:13-14a is a reminder of how God formed us: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

My favorite part of that verse is when the psalmist writes that God "knit" us together. I love the imagery of "knitting," because not only is it an investment of time and creativity but because the finished product is unique, beautiful and one-of-a-kind — and the same is true for you and me.

When God created us, He didn’t just make a physical being, He made a being full of life, giftings and personality. It is incredibly important that we prioritize ourselves so that, as evidenced in my children, we can be our best selves.

Are you ready to start making your passions and God-given talents a priority? Are you ready to start living wholly as God made you to live? Redeem those fringe hours and you’ll find that you’re a more joyful person, reflecting the beauty of our Father.

Heavenly Father, may pursuing my passions glorify You and make me a better steward of the blessings You have bestowed upon my life. Thank You for making me a unique creation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

***

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Matthew 10:30-31: "And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (NIV)

1 Peter 4:10, "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace." (ESV)

RELATED RESOURCES:

If you yearn for more time for yourself but don’t know where to begin, check out The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You. This practical and liberating book will empower you to make time for your passions and live the life God intended for you.

Connect with other women who also want to make time for their passions in a free online book club of The Fringe Hours. Hosted on (in)courage by Angie Smith and Jessica Turner, this study features engaging videos, free resources and honest discussion. Visit (in)courage to learn more and join in.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

Look at your schedule today and determine where you might find some fringe hours to do something just for you. Then take advantage of that time!



© 2015 by Jessica N. Turner. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Revell Publishers for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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