Time for Jesus?

I'll try to keep this post kind and informative, rather than an angry rant....but be fair warned that it could happen! Here's how my lovely tuesday-wednesday-thursday blur of life seemed to go about. This could get lengthy...

It all started out in sociology class about a month ago. We were given the news that we were going to be married. Hooray!! ...not so much. This marriage pretty much revolves around finances and a budget, to prove that getting married young is a stupid idea. (I may be blonde, but I would never, EVER get married at 18!) So anyways, class proceeds and we unite hands, say our vows, and a ring is placed on our tiny, little, teen-aged finger. Congradulations Mr. and Mrs. Chris and Julie Pfeil! 

So here we are, the lovely little couple at 18 years old, senior year of high school, married. We discuss the marriage project requirements that include: making a two-week meal plan, going 'grocery shopping' for all the items needed for the month (with a budget of around $200), going on a date night, 'buying' an apartment from the newspaper, and taking pictures of the whole process so there is proof that we have done everything on the list. Fun right?

Our marriage went on quite successfully. We got everything done that needed to be done in class, besides going grocery shopping and out on a date. Christmas break rolls around and we enjoy our time off school, as did any other high school student. Tuesday we come back to sociology class, expecting to plan a day for grocery shopping and our date....only to find that the entire project (scrapbook included!!) is due THURSDAY OF THIS WEEK! Panic, stress, anger, frustration, shock, all of these emotions fuming in my head! I could've literally exploded at any moment. So much for a lovely evening of grocery shopping and a date. All I could think was, "Why didn't he tell us it was due so soon, so we could've done the majority of it over break?! Scrapbooking freaking takes forever!!" 

Tuesday afternoon/evening was completely reserved for a babysitting job I had already committed to, leaving the single, free Wednesday. This was our only option. At 3:45pm on Wednesday, my husband Chris and I met at Marc's, along with the Druga couple, for a double-date-grocery-shopping-and-date-night-trip. Whew! I felt the stress. From 3:45-5:15, we walked around Marc's recording the prices of everything on our grocery list...this is what 'grocery shopping' is in sociology class. With that accomplished, we were all feeling quite hungry--perfect 'dinner date' opportunity. So where do poor, married, high school students go for a date? None other than....WENDY'S!  We ate our meal and took pictures, leaving Wendy's at around 6:30pm. Then it was off to Walmart to take furniture pictures, pick up any necessary scrapbooking items (exspensive!) and then order all of our pictures that we'd just taken, to use for the scrapbook (that is still not even started!!)  8pm rolls around and we are literally pooped. Our husbands head home, and Jenalyn and I head back to my house to begin a long night of scrapbooking.

Scrapbooking deserves a whole paragraph to itself! We began scarpbooking at around 8:15 and continued working until midnight when Jenalyn decided to go head home, still not finished with her scrapbook. I stayed up until 2am working on this scrapbook. At 2am, I decide that sleep is more important than a dumb scrapbook. I pack up all the scrapbooking supplies that literally covered my entire floor and went downstairs to wash my face and clean up. Remembering that I had study hall 1st period, I walk into my parent's room and give my dad (half awake) the saddest face I could muster up (not that his eyes were open), and asked if I could skip study hall for an extra hour of sleep. Being the daddy's girl that I am, he allowed.

6:45am comes way to fast. I shower, put on my glasses and a hoodie and jeans (basically whatever was on my floor), poured a tall glass of coffee, and headed to school. 2nd period I managed to pay attention, and then proceeded to 3rd period, my sociology class. He allowed us to work on our project and told us it was due by 3pm today. Period 4/5, sign language. My teacher thought the scrapbook was cute so far, and asked when it was due. After telling her it was due today by 3, she looked at me and said "work on it during class, you don't have to participate. Just get as much of that done as you can." (LOVE HER!!) But truthfully, she probably took one look at me and felt bad for me...I literally looked like a zombie. The scrapbook is still not done, and it's now my lunch period. I worked on it as much as I could, and then made myself eat something in an attempt to gain some energy. The next three periods are all I blur. I have early dismissal so I got out at 1:50, went home, and scrambled to type up the last paper for the scrapbook's "WHAT WE LEARNED" section. 2:48pm, I go running back into the high school, turn in the scrapbook, and head back home. It's over. It's finally done. Halleleuia!

But sociology isn't my only class. I'm a high school student; which means I'm also taking six other classes. And most teachers care about nothing other than their class, so who cares if you're tired and have a ton of other homework...here's another butt load of work to add to that! I'm also taking dual enrollment english to get a college english credit. But what they don't tell you is--dual enrollement english, in college terms is called 'College Composition.'  And if you know what compostion means....lots of writing! At the end of this semester, we will have written a total of five essays, and multiple 'reader reviews.' So what do I have tonight? Two reader reviews, assigned today, due tomorrow. Don't get me wrong, I'm by no means complaining. If I wasn't taking it now, I'd have to take it next year at Akron, so in some ways I guess it puts me a little bit ahead. The only negative, is that in high school you meet everyday, so you don't have any days in between to do your work, only a single night.

Moral of the story, I should get to work on those two papers. But in the back of my mind, I can see my "Jesus Time" slipping away. The only time I spent in the Bible yesterday was in the morning. The only time today, was this morning. I want Him to be a priority in my life, but at the same time, I can't afford to let these grades drop. I'm praying for energy. I'm praying for patience. I'm praying for peace. I know that when I'm serious about something, I find a way to make myself get it done. I'm naturally a hard-worker.

God, I pray that you would fill me with your peace. God help me to keep you at the center of my life. Don't let me push you away with the excuse "I'm too busy." I pray that you would guide me in the direction that you wan't me. Help me to be patient and kind, even when there's a lack of sleep. Grant me your joy and energy to make it through each day. Thank you for who you are, and for accepting me the way I am. In your name I pray, amen.