February is past already, can you believe?  But March brings the arrival of spring and hopefully warmer weather  — I’m so ready.

Per our action plan last week, here’s my manifesto for March:

“I will attempt to live this very full month with an attitude of calmness and gratitude.  I will try my best not to rush and hurry those around me.  In everything, I will give thanks!”

Let’s review last month’s 52 ways posts:

week #5:  get some sleep

week #6:  answer gently

week #7:  build community

week #8:  declare it!

 : :

Week #9  Count the Cost, Set the Sacrifices.  Oh yes, this one is important. For I cannot begin to tell you how much stress is caused in our lives due to a lack of forethought.

Now, I’m a planner — a Type A list-lover and keep the family on-tracker.  I’ve wasted time and energy trying not to be this type of person, but that’s another blog post.  Honoring God’s design, I’ve embraced who I am (for the most part! :))

But this is not about lists and keeping organized.

My encouragement today is after figuring out our God-ordained goals, it is critical we also think through the sacrifices as well..

Yes, the sacrifices.  Because in order to say yes, there is often a no right around the corner.  Or right in front of us.

Our lives are already full, and to say yes will most often mean we have to give something up.  Maybe it’s short term, or even a major change…but we should give thought to what this is.

“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?”  Luke 14:28 (NLT)

The more involved, more costly, the more complex the plan — the more prayerful forethought it requires.

We must ask ‘do I have enough?’  (time, energy, resources) and if not — maybe the answer is to make room somehow, to let go in one area for the sake of another.

Have you considered the sacrifices necessary? 

: :

Action Plan:  If you’ve rushed ahead, it’s not too late (hopefully) to set the sacrifices needed to move forward.  Consider carefully so you don’t give up the wrong thing.  Better yet — pray.  God already knows.

More to Read:  Choose What You Must Give Up Today