Long Lasting Natural Finish. That’s what it says on the side of some foundation that I picked up in my cosmetics drawer the other day.

Long Lasting Natural Finish.

Something about that resonated with me and I think it’s connected to something I’ve been learning and trying to do this year.

I’ve found myself compartmentalising life a lot. In a good way.

I mean, perhaps, that I’ve been so busy that I’ve had to put activities and events into blocks. The work block. The study block.

Then within the main blocks there’s been other blocks. “I will be working on that assignment until that date.” “Then I will catch up on those 3 weeks of content in that subject.”

It’s been the only way to get to the end. The only way to reach that Long Lasting Natural Finish, despite the temptation – for me at least – to try and get ahead and get things finished early.

In so doing, I’ve perhaps gotten better at blocking out things that I can’t do and focusing on one thing at a time. I’m sure I’ve got a long way to go with this, but I think I’ve done less of the unnatural hurried run around, doing 20 things at once and instead been focusing on one task at a time.

Focusing on one task at time has allowed me to get to the end of a lot of work. Though I’d be the first to say it’s not my natural inclination.

I’m usually racing around like a car crash waiting to happen. Yet God’s been teaching me to make other rhythms natural this year and it has been for the best.

As the December silly season begins, I’m trying to remind myself to maintain the ‘one thing at a time’ mentality that God’s been gently prodding me with this year. We all seem to lose the plot in December when things become overwhelming.

I know they say making a list and checking it twice is a good idea and I think they’re on to something. However, in the spirit of compartmentalisation, I think I’ll start writing that list after I finish writing an essay… and maybe my Year 9 and 10 reports.

There’s only so much I can do at the one time. Attempting anything else would be unnatural and probably just end in a big mess.

I hope you can find the rhythms of grace this December as things get crazy, knowing that all you need to do is just one thing at a time.

God’s got Christmas under control.

Yours applying some foundation first,

Alison