Penny Zeller's Blog

I have so many Black Friday sales to share with you! Over 680 in all, to be exact. Four of my books are on sale as well. First off, you won’t want to miss these amazing books, all for 99 cents! You’ll find some of your favorite authors in this one, which includes romance, regency, historical, contemporary, fantasy, cowboys, books with dogs, sports books, and more! Go here to check out the goodies!

Check out this awesome video detailing just some of the fantastic Christian and clean books on sale this year here:

https://youtube.com/shorts/_2Ne0ytIN7c?feature=share

Now, onto the next site where you’ll find even more books in a variety of genres, including romance, Christmas, fantasy, mystery, contemporary, historical, nonfiction, children’s, and more! Go here for more goodies!

Looking for a fun and relaxing read in a charming small town with memorable characters? A faith-filled story with tender romance and plentiful humor? A book with characters in every generation? Take a trip to Cloverdale Falls! Now available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook format.

He’s a nerdy tourist needing a vacation.
She’s a bed and breakfast employee with a broken heart.
Love is the last thing they expect to find this Christmas. 

Introvert Braxton Wertz needs a vacation, but his trip to the small town of Cloverdale Falls is anything but restful when he finds himself not only falling for the sweet and bubbly Gracely, but also in the crosshairs of geriatric private investigators…and their numerous shenanigans.

Recovering from a painful breakup, extrovert Gracely Eklund needs a vacation. Where better to spend her Christmas than her aunt and uncle’s charming bed and breakfast? Her time managing the business comes with a few surprises, one of those being the nerdy and lovable Braxton.

He’s from Florida. She’s from the Rocky Mountain West. Can Christmastime, an incomplete photo album, and a quirky town with its equally quirky residents bring two unsuspecting hearts together?

Take a trip to Cloverdale Falls in this hilarious Christian rom-com, the second in the Small Town Shenanigans Series. Under the Mistletoe can be read as a standalone or enjoyed in conjunction with Recipe for Love.

Tropes:

Fun Rom-com (think Great American Family/Pureflix or Hallmark with faith)Friends to moreHe falls firstIntrovert/ExtrovertSmall townChristmasNumerous hilarious momentsSecondary characters in every generation

Please note: Under the Mistletoe is a faith-filled contemporary Christian book.

Snag your copy here.

It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is upon us. Christians everywhere will be giving thanks to the Lord for His goodness, His protection, and His Sacrifice on the Cross so we could have eternal life.

As I reflect on the past year, I think of the many things I am grateful for—Jesus Christ as my Savior, my husband, my daughters, extended family, friends, health, home, and employment. Sometimes, though, we only think of the “big” things we are thankful for like those things I mentioned above.

What about the seemingly “small” things we are thankful for that we sometimes overlook? Below are a few that came to my mind in no particular order:

I’m thankful for water. According to World Vision, “Globally, 844 million people lack access to clean water”. How many times do we go to the faucet and grab a glass of water without giving it a second thought? Praise God that when we are thirsty, that thirst can be easily quenched.

I’m thankful I can breathe. According to WebMD, millions of Americans have breathing problems, including asthma, allergies, COPD, and lung disease. This hits home, as multiple people in my family struggle with lung and breathing problems. How many times do we take it for granted that we can easily take a breath? That we can breathe freely and uninhibited?

I’m thankful for the ability to read. According to uis.unesco.org, “Despite the steady rise in literacy rates over the past 50 years, there are still 773 million illiterate adults around the world, most of whom are women”. Whether they were never taught or suffer from a learning disability, there are a high number of people who cannot read. Yet, I read things every day and don’t give it a second thought that some people don’t have that ability.

I’m thankful for those who risk their lives each day to bring the Good News to those around the world. We in the United States so far face minimal persecution when it comes to sharing our love for Jesus. Our missionaries in other nations are not so fortunate. As I read The Voice of the Martyrs website, my eyes were opened to the sacrifices our Christian brothers and sisters make each day to share the hope of eternal life with the lost around the world.

I’m thankful for food to eat. A couple of years ago, my husband and I were both diagnosed with multiple food allergies. At times, it can be a challenge to find things to eat, especially at restaurants. Yet, so many people in the U.S. and around the world have no food to eat —at all. They would love to only have allergies to a handful of foods—if it meant they had food.

I’m thankful I haven’t been involved in a devastating hurricane, earthquake, or tornado. Several years ago, we suffered severe exterior damage to our home and vehicles during a bad hailstorm. When we returned home from our vacation, our yard looked as though it had suffered a major catastrophe. Tree limbs were everywhere, our garden and fence were ruined, the new siding and roof on our house destroyed, and two of our vehicles totaled.

A few days after the hail storm, our church was seeking volunteers to assist with the devastation caused by a deadly tornado in the southern part of the country. As our family discussed being a part of this outreach, I was overcome with gratefulness and humility that it was only a relatively minor hailstorm we were dealing with and not a horrific storm where lives had been lost.

I’m thankful for dirty dishes. Yes, you read that right. I know, most people wouldn’t say “thanks” for the sinkful of food-corroded crusty dishes from last night’s dinner. However, I am thankful because if I didn’t have those dirty dishes, I wouldn’t have had food to feed my family. Same goes for dirty laundry. While it may not be my favorite task, I’m thankful we have clothes to wear, and therefore, clothes that get dirty.

I’m thankful for my church family. Sometimes I forget how blessed I am to belong to the Body of Christ and how thankful I am that I can walk through the doors of my church and learn about the Lord and share fellowship with other Believers. What is also amazing are the connections made through social media with Believers around the world. I have a prayer ministry on Twitter that allows me to pray for my brothers and sisters across multiple continents in their time of need.

We need each other. We need fellowship. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us just how important meeting together is and that we need to continue doing so. First Thessalonians 5:11 says it well, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up”. We are to come alongside each other, assist each other through difficult seasons, and pray for one another.

I’m thankful I can see and hear. As I sit typing this, my girls are in the kitchen laughing about something. Thank You, Father, that I can hear their joy! I’m thankful for sight too – the snow-capped mountains in the distance and the puffy white clouds in the sky are such a testament to His Creation. I’m also thankful that the Lord opened my eyes to see my need for Him!

That’s a shortened version of “small” things I’m thankful for. As I look back on my list, I realize they’re not “small” things at all, but big and important things.

What are you thankful for?

From my family to yours…Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so excited to share Braxton and Gracely’s story with you! Have you ever wanted a fun and festive book with faith, tender romance, humor, memorable characters, and a happily-ever after? A clean and wholesome one that puts you in the Christmas spirit?

purchase ebook here Purchase paperback herePurchase audiobook here

Under the Mistletoe releases today in ebook, paperback, and audiobook. And…I have ten special-edition sticker packets for Under the Mistletoe. (Only ten were made and ever will be made). If you’ve purchased a paperback of the book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, etc., please let me know in a comment for further details on how to claim your packet. First come, first-served!

And now, on to the blurb:

He’s a nerdy tourist needing a vacation.
She’s a bed and breakfast employee with a broken heart.
Love is the last thing they expect to find this Christmas.

Introvert Braxton Wertz needs a vacation, but his trip to the small town of Cloverdale Falls is anything but restful when he finds himself not only falling for the sweet and bubbly Gracely, but also in the crosshairs of geriatric private investigators…and their numerous shenanigans.

Recovering from a painful breakup, extrovert Gracely Eklund needs a vacation. Where better to spend her Christmas than her aunt and uncle’s charming bed and breakfast? Her time managing the business comes with a few surprises, one of those being the nerdy and lovable Braxton.

He’s from Florida. She’s from the Rocky Mountain West. Can Christmastime, an incomplete photo album, and a quirky town with its equally quirky residents bring two unsuspecting hearts together?

Take a trip to Cloverdale Falls in this hilarious Christian rom-com, the second in the Small Town Shenanigans Series. Under the Mistletoe can be read as a standalone or enjoyed in conjunction with Recipe for Love .

**Please note: Under the Mistletoe is a faith-filled contemporary Christian book.*

*Tropes:

Fun Rom-com (think Great American Family/Pureflix or Hallmark with faith)Friends to moreHe falls firstIntrovert/ExtrovertSmall townChristmasNumerous hilarious momentsSecondary characters in every generation

Thank you so much for celebrating with me!

My oldest daughter is a logophile – someone who loves words. Every day, before I begin work, she opens a tab on my computer for Dictionary.com for the “word  of the day.”

Today’s word? Thanksgiver. The definition, according to Dictionary.com is a person who gives thanks.

We remember to be thankful on Thanksgiving. But in truth, we should express gratitude several times a day, every day of the year.

Below are a few of the many reasons to express our gratitude to a faithful God who has blessed us beyond measure.

He is deserving of our praise. He tells us to “…give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18a). Not always easy in those times of trial that we all experience. But His grace and mercy sees us through even the worst of times.He gave us eternal life. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).When we have a grateful heart, we are less apt to complain or look dismally at our circumstances, no matter how bleak they may seem. It reminds us how dependent we are on Him.His love endures forever (Psalm 136:1).It is a way to express worship to our Creator.A grateful heart comes humbly before the  Lord and realizes all that He has done.Gratitude reminds us of how much we have, not how much we lack.

One of the ways I have found to be especially important in showing thankfulness is by staring a gratitude journal.

At the end of each day, list the things you are grateful for in a notebook or journal. It’s humbling and amazing the things we forget that the Lord has done.

How often do I thank the Lord for His many blessings? The gift of His Son? Jesus’s sacrifice on the Cross? That He chose me to be His? For food on the table? Good health for my family and me? His protection? My husband’s job?

Speaking of His protection, how many times does God protect us and we don’t even realize it? The car accident that could have happened. The illness we avoided. The lurking, unseen dangers that He has saved us from. By His grace, we emerged unscathed from potential dangers we never even gave thought to.

Not only today, but everyday, be a thanksgiver. Come before the Throne with humility, thanksgiving, and praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

How do you express your gratitude to the Lord?

 

It’s hard to believe that it’s already November! What are some ways to make a difference this month in the lives of others? Here are seven suggestions.

Combine chocolate with cheer. When our church announced it was looking for volunteers to serve in the hot chocolate ministry last year, our family immediately volunteered. What is a hot chocolate ministry? It’s a stand where we handed out free hot chocolate (with a spoonful of mini-marshmallows) to those who attended our town’s annual outdoor Christmas event that happens each year on the day after Thanksgiving. What a fun way to spread Christmas cheer!

Remember our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Voice of the Martyrs has an amazing website that includes ways to pray for those who are imprisoned, those who have been attacked, and those who’ve lost someone to horrific murders. You can see specific prayer requests here.

Make a nursing home resident’s holiday season a little brighter. Yes, it’s only November, but as my youngest daughter recently pointed out, there are only seven Saturdays until Christmas. So many who live in nursing homes are lonely. Why not join your family in visiting a resident? An alternative is to write Christmas cards and mail them to be handed out to those who would otherwise receive no season’s greetings.

Share with those who have no one. Sometimes, while we are enjoying our Thanksgiving dinners, we forget something very important…the fact that many people don’t have anywhere to go for Thanksgiving dinner. Is there a widow in your church that will spend her first year alone? An elderly couple with no family nearby? A neighbor who lives alone? Why not make a difference in their lives and invite them to your home to share in your family’s festivities? 

Learn CPR. My oldest daughter and I recently renewed our CPR certification. The course was fantastic, and included a section on the Heimlich maneuver. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve renewed my certification, but things tend to change over time, and a refresher is always welcome. What better way to make a difference than to have the knowledge to have a role in possibly saving someone’s life? For more details on how to find a CPR course near you, check out The American Heart Association’s website.

Share the love of reading with others. Our family recently boxed up several Christian adult fiction books in excellent condition that we no longer needed or read. I called a local assisted living center and asked if they would be interested in some books for their residents. They were ecstatic! Remember to always call first before making any donations.

Speaking of books, for more ideas of year-round difference makers, please check out my book 77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference: Ideas and Activities for Serving Others.

Fill a shoebox. What better way to make a difference in the life of a child than to fill a shoebox that will be delivered, along with the message of Gospel to a child in need in another country? For all the details on how and what to pack, check out the Samaritan’s Purse website. But hurry! National collection week is November 17-24.

What are some ways you and your family are planning to make a difference in the month of November?

We live in a me-centered, me-focused world where we are encouraged by our culture to ensure that the main person in our sphere is ourselves. To put ourselves first. To put others last. To keep for ourselves, rather than to give to others.

But a Biblical worldview is just the opposite. Generosity and putting others— rather than ourselves—first is important to God. And it takes but a moment to recall all of the many blessings He bestows on us each day, many of which we don’t even realize.

My sister, Becky, has always been generous. She’s one who would “give you the shirt off her back”. At present, she is caregiving for a couple family members while struggling with health issues herself. Being a caregiver is not easy under any circumstances. Yet Becky is generous with her time, her love, her patience, and her resources.

There are many ways we can be generous. Below are eight suggestions for ways we can be more giving towards others.

1.

Generous with time. Do we take time out of our busy schedule to spend it with those we love? To care for and do things for them? Do we take time to volunteer for worthy causes that make a difference for God’s Kingdom? Or do make ourselves our top priority and expect others to cater to us?

2.

Generous with possessions. Are we generous with what we own? If someone needs something, are we quick to offer it? Or do we hoard things for ourselves?

3.

Generous with kind words. Are we generous with kind words and encouragement? Are we gentle towards others in the way we speak to them? Or do we struggle with a critical or harsh nature and speak to others in a terse or hateful way?

4.

Generous with serving and helping others. Do we have a heart for serving others? Or do we constantly expect to be served?

5.

Generous with giving. Would we be considered a giver? Or a taker?

6.

Generous with compliments. Do we leave praise and give compliments for a job well done or when a service is rendered well? Or do we withhold compliments and instead only offer negative feedback?

7.

Generous with grace. Do we extend the grace to others that we ourselves have been shown in abundance by our Heavenly Father? Or are we impatient and unsympathetic and quick to find fault?

8.

Generous with forgiveness. Are we generous with forgiving others when they have wronged us or offended us? Do we forgive the way the Lord has forgiven us? Or do we hold onto grudges long after the offense?

Dear Lord, sometimes it’s a challenge to be generous. We sometimes allow ourselves to think only of ourselves and how things will benefit us. Help us to be more generous and to love others well with our compassion and benevolence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I am so excited to announce the Book Birthday for Love on the Horizon and the audiobook release day for Recipe for Love.

Read on for all the details…

It wasn’t long ago that Love on the Horizon was just a blip on the radar, begging to be written. I’m thrilled to announce Magnolia and Timothy’s story is now a reality!

snag your copy here

Blurb:

A fresh start. An unexpected chance at love.

Magnolia “Mags” Davenport has not had an easy life. Determined to leave behind painful memories, she decides, on a whim, to move halfway across the country to Horizon, Idaho, a town she’s never before heard of. What should be a simple escape to a new life turns into an adventure she never imagined. From dangerous train rides to a stagecoach robbery, Mags wonders if she’ll ever reach her destination. When she finally sets foot in the small town filled with friendly people and a slightly aggravating, but kind and handsome man who needs spectacles, will she find the new beginning her heart craves?

Four things matter most in Timothy Shepherdson’s life—faith, family, farming, and food. Content as a farmer and uncle to his passel of nieces and nephews, Timothy isn’t interested in courtship or romance, especially since none of the women with their caps set for him can cook. What should be a simple trip into town changes everything after a case of mistaken identity. Timothy finds himself not only under the ire of newcomer Magnolia Davenport, but immensely intrigued when he learns she’s opening a bakery. Can he convince the wary baker to both forgive and give him a second chance?

Take a trip to Horizon, Idaho, in this tender romance that reminds us that God is the author of new beginnings.

**Please note: Love on the Horizon is a faith-filled Christian historical romance.**

Perfect for those who enjoy the following tropes:

Strong heroineFriends to moreSmall townFound familyAdoptionHumorRunning from the past

And in other exciting news…Recipe for Love just released as an audiobook! Talented Emma Faye did an amazing job voicing the characters for the book. If you love Christian contemporary romance, check this one out!

Listen to a sample here.

snag your copy here!

A clumsy baker. A hunky tourist. A recipe for disaster…or love?

Nothing interesting ever happens in Cloverdale Falls, which suits Maisie Carpenter just fine. Small-town drama keeps her entertained until that small-town drama brings news Maisie never imagined. Main Street has sold, and with it, the building housing her bakery. Ask any resident, and they’ll readily provide a dismal answer as to what will become of the friendly town founded by chicken farmers in the 1800s. What happens when she discovers the man connected with purchasing the businesses is the very same man she’s recently fallen in love with?

Hudson Tressler is content working for his uncle’s company, helping to revitalize struggling towns. Cloverdale Falls is his next mission, and he quickly discovers the residents are as quirky as the town itself, with its famous Henrietta the chicken mascot. Hudson finds himself drawn to one such resident—the clumsy, but cute baker who makes the best chocolate cookies he’s ever tasted. With the residents fearing for Cloverdale Falls’s future, Hudson finds himself navigating chickens, self-appointed geriatric investigators, and falling head over heels for Maisie.

Can chocolate cookies, small town shenanigans, and a concealed identity become a recipe for love?

Take a trip to Cloverdale Falls, a town you’ll want to become a resident of in this hilarious first book with the following tropes:

Concealed identitySmall townHumorSecondary characters in every generationFun rom-com (think Great American Family/Pureflix or Hallmark with faith)

**Please note that Recipe for Love is a faith-filled Christian contemporary romance.**

Recipe for Love is my sixth audiobook. It joins Love from Afar, Love Unforeseen, and Love Most Certain, narrated by the amazing Kacey Combest; Heart of Courage narrated by the wonderful Avery Wade; and Henry and Evaline, narrated by the fabulous actress, Vicky Livesay.

Thank you so much for celebrating with me!

We are all leaders. Whether we’re moms, dads, grandparents, older siblings, pastors, Bible study leaders, bosses, supervisors, teachers, coaches, mentors, or political figureheads.

No matter what our role, how can we be godly leaders?

Seek to serve God in your leadership. When we make the mistake of serving man and being a people-pleaser in our role of leadership, it never ends well. Instead, remember there is only One to whom we must please.

Find a godly mentor. Find someone who is mature in their faith and who can set an example for what it means to serve the Lord and serve others. Find someone who encourages questions.

Invest in others. As a godly leader, we need to invest in the lives of those we lead. Find out what matters to them. What their concerns are.

Be different. One of the ways we, as godly leaders can be “different” is to stand out. Many of us work in an atmosphere that includes those who don’t yet know the Lord. How can we show them we are not like the “world”? How can we set ourselves apart?

Lead by example.

Show grace. Everyone makes mistakes and has regrets. By showing grace to others, we mimic the grace God shows us.

Look for the potential in others. At my husband’s former place of employment, he served in a supervisory position. He excelled because he always looked for the potential in others. If one person might excel at a position they were not yet working in, my husband would encourage them to pursue that position. A godly leader wants what’s best for others and will expound on their strengths.

Help those whom you lead to accomplish their goals. A godly leader cares about the goals of others and doesn’t attempt to hinder them.

Don’t take others for granted. Show gratitude and humility.

Be a team player. No matter what leader position we are in, we can strive to work together, rather than against each other. Unfortunately in group settings, whether it be jobs, churches, or schools, we sometimes don’t see our role as that of being one unit with the same goal—to do best the task set before us. Also, we shouldn’t be afraid to get into the trenches and join those we lead. By being a team player, everyone benefits.

Don’t expect those who aren’t Believers to be godly. Yes, there are many amazing leaders who are not Christians, but as a Believer, we strive to emanate Christ in all we do, including when we are cast into leadership positions.

Being a godly leader can have its challenges. Daily prayer for God’s guidance, His wisdom, and to see others the way He does, can help us to make a difference to those whom we are placed in a position of leadership over.

Every year for Mother’s Day, my family takes me to the nursery to pick out flowers for our flower garden. To say that I look forward to this for months on end would be an understatement. My family joins me in planting numerous pots full of luscious flowers. My husband would tell you that is the easy part.

The hard part? I change my mind a few (all right, more than a few!) times on where to place the pots and how to organize them on the front porch, the patio, and the numerous other places we place pots around our yard. Lon, sometimes with the aid of our brand-new “John Deere” wagon (named as such because it’s green), hauls the pots to just the right place. And then to just the right place again.

I’m thankful I married a strong former farm boy.

It’s a running joke that I can’t always make up my mind for the placement of pots overflowing with petunias, pansies, daisies, verbenas, and fuchsias. But while I may be indecisive on where my flowers will thrive under the best growing conditions and where our family will appreciate them most, there is One who isn’t indecisive.

One whose mind isn’t swayed.

One who remains steadfast.

Our world has changed dramatically in the past ten years. Just last week, in addition to September 11, we witnessed the vicious murder of Charlie Kirk, a godly man of faith who worked hard to engage students in respectful discourse. He was a light in a dark world who stood strong for his faith, and his horrific death is one that I still can’t fathom. The heartbreaking images of his wife, Erika, and their children are forever embedded in my mind. I have been a longtime fan of Charlie’s, and still can’t believe he’s gone.

Or the awful murder of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, while she was innocently using public transit. She died crying and alone when a depraved man took her life, and no one stepped in to help. The look on her face will haunt me for years to come.

Or the school shooting at the Catholic school in Minnesota, where a horrible man killed two innocent and precious children. My heart breaks for the families who will never hug their young ones again.

Or the school shooting in Colorado that injured two innocent students. I am so, so grateful no one lost their lives due to this boy’s sinister actions.

There are more awful incidents, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. But last week felt heavy. Hopeless. Fearful. Add that to the hateful words and images that flooded the internet celebrating Charlie Kirk’s death. I was left unable to process the degeneracy of it all.

In a world that has changed dramatically in recent years, it’s always a bit disconcerting to imagine what the next day will bring. Toxic news stories are everywhere from TV to the internet. Anxiety rates have risen, depression is more prevalent than ever, and discord among friends (and, sadly, even family) is becoming commonplace.

But through all the craziness, lunacy, and insanity that have abounded, God remains steadfast, faithful, and unchanging. His Word remains the same, never wavering for a moment, even though the tides of everyday life change more rapidly than we can comprehend. He invites us to rest in His arms. To allow Him to take the burdens that overwhelm us. To cast our cares on Him.

Psalm 86:15 tells us “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” We in Christ long for His return.

But, thankfully, He is a God that desires for no one to perish (2 Peter 3:9). In those frequent moments when I long for His return, I remember some of those I love who don’t yet know Him. Who don’t yet have the consolation of residing with Him for eternity and my prayer life for them becomes more persistent than ever.

So today, let’s rest in the steadfast love of the Lord. Remembering that, while this world can be a scary place, for those of us who have surrendered our lives to Christ and have made Him our Lord and Savior, this is not our permanent home.

And while the world around us constantly changes, and in those changes, it can be a frightening place to reside, there is One whose love, whose Word, whose very Being never changes. Let’s rest in His arms in light of chaos, fear, and heartache, and remember that in all of this, He truly is our unchanging refuge.

May we keep our eyes on Him, never wavering from the One who can truly give us rest.

Ever find yourself in a bit of a kerfuffle? Five thousand things to do and ten minutes in which to do them?

Time management can be a challenge, especially when we have a lot on our plates. As a culture, we are growing busier by the second. Instead of moving at a peaceful crock-pot pace, we’re now moving at anxiety-ridden microwave speed.

Such a harried life not only produces stress and isn’t good for our health, but it’s also not the kind of life God intended for us. How, then, can we better manage our time? Here are nine suggestions.

Ask God to orchestrate our day. Giving thanks first thing in the morning, followed by the prayer that God would guide our steps and lead us to do those things He would have us do, rather than an overloaded plate of things we think we need to do, can set our entire day on the right path.

Organize our workload. I recently purchased a spiral notebook that includes several sections on the 6.5″x9″ paper. Some of those sections include the top priorities, notes, a running list with a spot for check marks, and items for tomorrow. It has helped me considerably with managing my workload.

Speaking of which…we need to prioritize. What is the most important? This one can be tough. When we’re overwhelmed, everything is a priority. But if we take a few minutes and think through what must be done today and what can wait until tomorrow or a later date, our day will go more smoothly. I am not advocating for procrastination. Instead, I’m suggesting we mindfully consider what takes precedence and act on that.

Make a list. This goes hand-in-hand with organizing our workload. I find that if I construct a list and am able to cross off the things finished, it offers a sense of accomplishment.

Do one thing at a time. Fellow moms, I’m especially talking to you here. We are usually going ninety miles an hour with five hundred tabs open at any given time. It was my oldest daughter who once told me, “Mom, you need to just finish one thing at a time before you move on to the next on the list.” She’s so right, and when we do that, we’re more able to focus and give each chore our full attention.

Seek accountability. If we are in this constant state of stress, much like a hamster on a wheel going round and round attempting to do it all with little progress, maybe we need someone to help hold us accountable. Social media, scrolling, and doing other mindless activities can put a damper on our productivity. Accountability can be another person, such as a spouse or friend, or it can be the kitchen timer. There’s nothing wrong with spending some time seeing what everyone’s up to on our favorite social media platform. But if we waste away hours, we’ll never be effective at time management for the things that are truly important.

Ask for help. Why is this such a challenge? Because we can be prideful and want to “do it all”? If so, we need to push that pride aside and seek assistance when needed. Or maybe we can’t ask for help because those closest to us aren’t willing to assist us? In that case, a gentle discussion (after much prayer, of course) with the one unwilling to come alongside us may be in order.

Are we just too busy? If we take a good, hard look at our lives, are we just too busy and need to let something go? Is this constant state of frantic upheaval harming out health? If so, we need to seek for God’s assistance in learning to say no or seek His wisdom in discovering what it is we need to let go of.

Take care of ourselves. I know for me personally, if things get crazy hectic, I’ll put some things on the back burner. Things like exercise, eating healthy, and spending time in the Word. We need to take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. Good health is valuable and God is the Author of rest.

So next time we’re mentally listing off the things we need to accomplish and attempting to go to bed before midnight, let’s turn it all over to Him. Every task, every chore, every request of us.