©  Focus on Jesus.  Focus on Souls.  ©

Dear daughter,

After a traumatic Sunday evening (from 5 to 10 p.m.) and much prayer, mommy finally realized how serious the situation is and how ignorant I've been in the past few years.

%Time Spent

Let's take a look of how your time is spent:

1.       sleep 9.5 to 10 hours: 10 / 24 = 40% approximately

2.       school from 8:30 to 3 and .5 hour of travel time: 7 / 24 = 30% approx.

3.       schoolwork average 3 to 3.5 hours a day from Sunday night to Thursday: 3.5 / 24 = 15% (excluding time for special projects)

Again, according to your teaches' and mine observation, this time can be reduced. A couple of quarters ago, when you were in 5^th grade, Mr. Jurak said 1.5 hours should have been more than adequate for you.  We then agreed on two hours max for schoolwork per night.  Remember?  Now you are in 6^th grade – middle school, if you can keep schoolwork done within 2.5 hours (2.5 / 24 = 10% approx.) you will save one hour – 5% of a day.

4.       home assignments (reading, piano & violin) average 1.5 hour daily: 1.5 / 24 = 6%

The above four items total 91% of your time.  Allowing only 30 minutes of break time for homework (items 3 & 4), that's 93%.  Only about 7% (1.7 hours) of time is left for eating, shower, play and prayer.  (If you save one hour from schoolwork you would have roughly 12% (2.7 hours) of time free.)

Of course, on the weekend from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, it's different.  You have non-schoolwork time from items 2, 3 and the rest (30% + 13% + 7% = 50%).

Values and Priorities

Now, let's look at our values and priorities.  Our values are what are important to us.  Our priorities are the things and the way for which we spend our time.  Values and priorities need to be in harmony.  Otherwise, we will be out of balance and unhappy. 

If you say Jesus is #1 important but you don't spend time with Him, something is wrong.  This is why mommy is discussing this with you right now.  My questions for you are:

1.       Is Jesus really #1 in your life?  From what we can see in reality, He is at near bottom - after the dogs, and before the birds and rabbits.  If Jesus is indeed #1, you need to find time to be with him.  You need to think about Him, talk to Him, make special gifts for Him, copies verses for Him...  Ask Him what He would like you to do...

2.       If Jesus is not #1, where is He?  We need to be honest to ourselves.  Mommy thinks it's better to honestly not put Jesus as #1 than to cheat ourselves by saying He is but not living like He is.  Maybe you wanted to please mommy and truly wanted Him to be #1 and you're just not ready.  (Of course, mommy hopes this is not the case.)

Private Time with Jesus

We need both private and family time with Jesus.  Right now, you only have private time with Jesus when mommy asks you to get answers for assigned questions.  If mommy doesn't give you specific questions, you can go through the whole week without talking to Him. 

When you tell me about things happened in school I sometimes ask you, "Did you pray [right then]?"  You cannot put me in your pocket to go to school and help you.  But you can always put Jesus in your pocket.  He is always with you and helps you, if you ask Him.  Sometimes, you'd respond with irritation, "Yes, I did.  How do you know I didn't?"  Mommy wondered sometimes if this might be a flag - you said you did just to shut your mom up.

How about spending 15 minutes talking to Jesus daily?  This is about 1% of a day.  Only 15 minutes for someone who is very important - number 1, 2 or..., in your life.  Ask Jesus to help you manage schoolwork time so you can take the time out of the 12% (2.7 hours) non-work time.

Family Time with Jesus

First of all, Mommy must stress when we come to be with Jesus we need to prepare our hearts so we can be 'ready' to worship and to talk to Him.  In other words, to focus on Him.  (Holy Spirit told you it took you 70 minutes to enter in the Spirit last night.)  If we're not ready the time does not count - because in reality we were focusing on drinking juice, making funky noise, past activities, future events... every natural thing but the supernatural Spirit.  Our family time with Jesus counts the true time in the Spirit only.  Otherwise, we'd be cheating.  (Mommy is scared to think Jesus pointing his finger at my nose and say, "You are a liar.")

On the weekends you're with me, we'll have one hour listening to an excellent message on CD or tape.  You have spent this time with Edmond and me well.  Mommy truly hopes these truths have penetrated your spirit deeply.

As for family prayer time with Jesus, we have scheduled one hour each on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.  So far, you've been attending 15 minutes, in the Spirit, out of all three in the whole week.

How about spending 15 minutes in each of the three family prayer time with Jesus?  And, mommy knows for sure, He will help you balance schoolwork, increase your wisdom and give you the desire to spend longer time in family prayer.

Dear daughter, would you please ask the Holy Spirit about all these?  May He reveal His grace and purpose in You.

Love,

Mommy

==**==**==**==**==**==**==**==**==**==**==**==**==**==**==**==**==

©©©  Sonya's Heard from Jesus  ©©©

At night, Sonya prayed.  The following are Sonya’s questions and answers from Jesus:

1. Is Jesus really #1 in my life?

A. No, not yet. I am trying to come to the prayer meetings though, but wasting time off track playing or doing something else.

2. What should I do for God to make him #1?

A. Pray every day at least 7 minutes, read Bible everyday, make short prayers every once in a while or when you need help or something, attend at least one prayer meeting a week (more if possible), and read devotions every day.

3. If Jesus is not #1, where is He?

A. Near the bottom because of everything else I do.

4. Am I ready to have God as #1?

A. Yes, but need to stop other extra activities and give God time.