Make Time

Hi, friends! I hope everyone is having a great 2024 so far! I don't know about y'all, but this past week has already flown by for me. When it gets busy, it gets busy!

One of my favorite and most rewarding parts of my job as a librarian (besides the BOOKS!!!) is all of the people I get to work with daily (patrons and staff). I love how the library has a sense of community, especially that it can help connect everyone to today's world. I also feel like there are so many valuable experiences and lessons at least every week if not every day.

One thing that I'm trying to improve this year is making time for more and not getting derailed when I get off task. I don't know if you're like me, but I have to have all my energy and concentration on important tasks and projects, and if I'm interrupted, I tend to get frustrated, especially since I get easily distracted.

One day this week, I was working on something while sitting at the front desk. I felt proud of myself for being productive and tackling this particular task head-on. It wasn't very busy, so I felt myself get into the zone, almost oblivious to the environment around me. Suddenly, I noticed a patron approach the desk. I'm ashamed of even thinking this, but I thought to myself "What now?" A sweet older lady approached the desk to return some books, and she had the sweetest, softest voice (similar to my nana, so, of course, that caught my attention). She wanted to read some large-print books and asked me if I would help her.

While I smiled and said I'd be glad to, inside, I was annoyed because all I wanted to do was finish the work that had been hanging over me. However, as I got to know this lady's life story a little more, her favorite authors and titles, as well as a friendly exchange of books we've recently enjoyed, I started to feel guilty. This sweet patron taught me a valuable lesson about how precious life is. It is an immeasurable and priceless gift from God, and we ALWAYS need to take full advantage of it. As the old saying goes, "Stop and Smell the Roses." Or, in my case, stop staring at your computer, get up, and visit with a beautiful soul with years of life experience and wisdom. While she thanked me profusely, I think I can safely say that she blessed me far more than I can ever bless her.

Isn't it amazing, friends, how God uses big or small parts of our lives to truly bless us? I hope to continue to learn from Him, stopping to listen more than I speak, and taking time to look up, down, and all around at His blessings, among his greatest blessing- life!!!

Be blessed, friends! Peace and joy! Ephesians 3:20

-Amy