Wow. What a wonderful word. I will be thinking about when I find myself most diligent and will report back 😅 thank you for faithfully sharing the truth that you are pondering and through which you are writing. Every week it is an encouragement to me! One of these days I hope I can take your rule of life workshop.
Thank you for this! I've been struggling with a "productivity mindset," but the reality is diligence is so much slower and more mundane and so much... better. Thank you for you sharing your honest list.
Yes, from start to finish. I really like the distinct between hard work and hard-work-in-love, though. It seems like a good conscious framework for discerning *when* to keep slogging and what to say yes (and no) to.
Oh Jen- your list made me cry- just seeing the list - it has been a very hard Sunday with deep emotions and I have doubted whether my life and the diligence I apply to it even matters. Just knowing that there are others out there questioning and walking a similar path is balm to my soul. I do wish I could come to you for mentoring. I am close to the same age as you but i think our souls could be friends!
I really like the way you framed this. Diligence feels paced, achievable and purposeful. It has an end in mind instead of just busyness which feels frenetic and never-ending. Thank you. I'm going to be chewing on this for a while. :) (And props to Abby Murrish for the idea! I love reading her stuff.)
Thank you, Jen, for this practical and inspirational post. I am most diligent when I acknowledge, often via text message or email, birthdays and other important anniversaries.
This was well needed and will be something I ruminate on. I will make a list of areas I've been diligent. I know one was caring for my mom for 6 years after my dad passed and her estate. It was hard but I have no regrets. There are other areas that I have failed to be diligent so this is a call to reflect on where to focus and some things to let go. I have been diligent in fasting and praying for a group of prodigals one day a week for almost 10 years. I haven't been diligent in cleaning and organizing my basement which my husband reminds me of often. Also finishing some projects and final few things on our new home. I have been diligent in supporting my addict daughter, spending time with her on the street and ministering to her street community. Some of these things lay waste to others in our lives so we have to weigh them eternally. But thank you for your thoughtful words and the call to stop and take a closer look at this often messy middle part we call life.
Wow. What a wonderful word. I will be thinking about when I find myself most diligent and will report back 😅 thank you for faithfully sharing the truth that you are pondering and through which you are writing. Every week it is an encouragement to me! One of these days I hope I can take your rule of life workshop.
You're welcome, Rachel! And I'd love to see you at an upcoming workshop!
Found 10 minutes in which to write on this question today. I wrote,
“I’m at my most diligent when:
-I prioritize reading, Bible study, writing, thinking, especially over against frittering away time on my phone
-I get outside in the sunshine, especially with my boys
-I make a concerted effort to pray for those I’ve said I’ll pray for, and follow up with them
-I write thank you cards and birthday notes
-I listen attentively to my husband and others and ask good questions of them
-I respect the boundaries the LORD/my husband has put in place
-I prepare and eat healthy meals, especially when I don’t feel like it
-I ask the question I know someone wants to be asked
-I answer the phone when I know it might mean/lead to a long conversation
-I submit/listen the first time in issues of preference (i.e. things that merely require me to die to self)
-I share only what is needful / helpful / necessary
Thank you again for this prompt! ❤️ will continue to mull this over in the days and weeks to come.
Thank you for this! I've been struggling with a "productivity mindset," but the reality is diligence is so much slower and more mundane and so much... better. Thank you for you sharing your honest list.
You're welcome. Productivity, as an ideal, often leaves me anxious and breathless! I'm glad you feel invited into slow love!
This is a great way to think about it. Thank you! I'm going to go away and chew on this.
I think if anyone knows diligence, you might! What was it? 11 years to write Elisabeth Elliot: A Life??
Yes, from start to finish. I really like the distinct between hard work and hard-work-in-love, though. It seems like a good conscious framework for discerning *when* to keep slogging and what to say yes (and no) to.
Oh Jen- your list made me cry- just seeing the list - it has been a very hard Sunday with deep emotions and I have doubted whether my life and the diligence I apply to it even matters. Just knowing that there are others out there questioning and walking a similar path is balm to my soul. I do wish I could come to you for mentoring. I am close to the same age as you but i think our souls could be friends!
I'm glad you found relief in what I shared! And don't we all long for mentorship? I hope you can find it locally where you are!!
Much to ponder about diligence, thank you! I am diligent taking care of my mom.
And this is such good work!
I really like the way you framed this. Diligence feels paced, achievable and purposeful. It has an end in mind instead of just busyness which feels frenetic and never-ending. Thank you. I'm going to be chewing on this for a while. :) (And props to Abby Murrish for the idea! I love reading her stuff.)
Abby is wonderful! And so glad this was helpful!
I need this. Keep writing, and thank you.
Thank you, Julie! Thanks for reading.
I am most diligent:
when sending birthday & anniversary cards to friends & family
when I am preparing supplementary resources for my home Bible study
when reading both non-fiction and fiction
Birthday cards! Yes, that's a good one!
Thank you, Jen, for this practical and inspirational post. I am most diligent when I acknowledge, often via text message or email, birthdays and other important anniversaries.
Birthdays again! Yes - me too!
I applaud your intentionality, Jen. Thank you for the encouragement.
I'm most diligent:
When I focus on Jesus and not a problem.
When I read the Bible every day.
Journaling.
Morning teatime.
Go for a walk.
Good night's sleep.
Worship at church Sunday mornings.
Taking time to relax and sit and enjoy.
Praying aloud.
Talking to one of my sisters on the phone.
Teaching kids in BSF.
Visiting with friends and praying for them.
A peaceful day of reading.
Spending time with any of the grandkids.
Caring for our home.
Baking-especially if it is baking for someone.
A great list, Annette! Thank you for sharing!
This was well needed and will be something I ruminate on. I will make a list of areas I've been diligent. I know one was caring for my mom for 6 years after my dad passed and her estate. It was hard but I have no regrets. There are other areas that I have failed to be diligent so this is a call to reflect on where to focus and some things to let go. I have been diligent in fasting and praying for a group of prodigals one day a week for almost 10 years. I haven't been diligent in cleaning and organizing my basement which my husband reminds me of often. Also finishing some projects and final few things on our new home. I have been diligent in supporting my addict daughter, spending time with her on the street and ministering to her street community. Some of these things lay waste to others in our lives so we have to weigh them eternally. But thank you for your thoughtful words and the call to stop and take a closer look at this often messy middle part we call life.
I am very humbled by the acts of diligence you describe here, Rosemary.
Thank you, Jen.