Yes we’re busy.

Yes we have a lot of demands on our time, attention, efforts and energies.

It feels like we’re constantly giving of ourselves — mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

But our busyness, and the demands of our work, are no excuse for missing important events in the lives of those that we love!

I don’t know about you, but I can struggle to look with much intention, and foresight, at my personal calendar — in comparison to by work calendar.

And before I know it… there’s something important happening within the next day or two (or worse, it has just happened), and instead of being able to plan thoughtfully and intentionally, I end up hastily trying to figure out the ‘perfect’ gift or experience, etc. to let the other person know how much the really do mean to me… while hopefully not letting them know that I’ve only just remembered.

Valentine’s Day is 10 days from now.

And while I’m sure that the next 10 days will be filled with lots of coaching students about how they can celebrate their friends, or significant others, on that day… I need to make sure that I’m making some intentional plans for my wife of almost 11 years.

She means so much. Does so much. And sacrifices so much.

But it’s not just Valentine’s Day.

Sometimes it’s birthdays.  My wife’s birthday often falls on spring break… which is a bummer if I happen to be traveling with a mission team.

Sometimes it’s anniversaries, or my kids school or sporting events (and I’m just at the beginning of that stage), or even the special events of extended family and friends that — at the very least — deserve a call, if not a card.

I believe God has called me to continue to invest my relationships OFF-campus, with all of my family and friends, just as much as God has called me to invest in the relationships I have ON-campus with students.

It requires being aware.

It requires thinking ahead.

It requires taking some intentional steps…

Because they’re all worth it!

Anyone else struggle with this?

Do any of you have ideas, or ‘best practices’, when it comes to managing everything that we’re called to give time, attention and love to?

Take a moment to share your thoughts in the comment section below.