Ephesians 5:15-16
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A short twenty-seven years ago, my husband and I embarked on a new business venture. We purchased a state-of-the-art Apple Macintosh computer and a couple of printers, including a laser printer that cost $4000 on its own. Today the same printer would probably cost a little more than $100! There was no cell phone…or World Wide Web…certainly nothing like Skype or FaceTime. Yes…things have certainly changed in a short period of time! We had plenty of opportunities for distraction…but they didn’t include playing “Candy Crush” or “Angry Birds” on a smart phone, communicating via social media, or texting. And none of these are bad past-times, if conducted wisely and in moderation.
Facebook is the perfect example. This social media vehicle can become a time waster…or a wonderful medium for sharing friendship, love and concern with others. A good case in point came in recent weeks when Buffy, a woman with whom I attended school and church as a teenager, became ill with the flu and double pneumonia. Her family members began to post prayer requests on Facebook. In turn, I shared these requests with my Facebook friends – many of whom had also been classmates and friends. Buffy died earlier this week. As her brother said to me, “thru your posts, thousands of folks prayed for Buff.” He thanked me for contributing to “this avalanche of love that's covered all of us.”
Every day, we have opportunities to spend our time wisely… or to waste it. Our choices matter…more than we may ever realize. The thirty minutes you spend writing cards of encouragement to someone or visiting with a friend or acquaintance on the phone may give them exactly the lift they needed to get through another day. The hour you turn off the computer or television and take a walk with your spouse, family member or friend… play in the floor with a child…or visit a neighbor…may generate results and blessings beyond your wildest imagination – for that person AND for you! The time you spend reading this devotional may give God an opportunity to provide you with insights you had not considered…and help you to serve more fully and effectively as one of Christ’s disciples!
The point is that everyone has the same amount of time each day. The difference comes in how we choose to use our time…where we place priorities…our ability to create balance between the demands of others and the world, our own desires, and God’s will. The best way to accomplish a successful equilibrium is to earnestly seek God each day…to start with the question, “What do YOU want from me in the next 24 hours?” We must listen to God’s voice and direction and schedule our activities accordingly. We must leave room on our calendar for the unexpected…and not fill our days so chock full that we are totally thrown into a tizzy when something happens that we did not anticipate and/or could not predict.
Opportunities to serve others…to share the love and compassion of Jesus with them…are all around us. I don’t know what new gadgets, gizmos and inventions the coming years will bring - or what means they will offer for serving others (and potential distractions) will accompany them. But I do know that God can show us how to keep balance in our lives and spend our time wisely. Are you willing to listen and let Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label spending time wisely. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spending time wisely. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 9, 2012
Psalm 90:10, 12
We can expect seventy years, or maybe eighty, if we are healthy, but even our best years bring trouble and sorrow. Suddenly our time is up, and we disappear.
Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For the first twenty-five-plus years of my adult life, I lived and breathed by a schedule and calendar. In my years as a teacher, I planned everything around the school year and scheduled holidays. When I was not in summer school, I mapped out my summer days – to some degree - trying to get everything I felt I had to get done finished within the first week or two so I could “relax” and enjoy the rest of the break. I would frantically spend the first week or two of June doing all of my heavy house cleaning, any “summer sewing” and getting other “obligations” out of the way.
At the end of the summer break, I would allow a couple of weeks or more to get ready to go back to school… cleaning again, making meals to put in the freezer, and then actually working at school to get my room ready for the new class. I used to plan weekly menus – and stick to them! I have “to-do” lists from those years that would probably stack inches high on my desk. And yes, if you saw my laundry room filled with fabrics and crafts items waiting to become my latest project, you would say I still have “to-do” lists of sorts!
Now that I have the luxury of retirement and don’t have to plan my life around a work schedule, I can enjoy “going with the flow” more. There are many days when I say to myself – or anyone within earshot, “I got so much more done when I was working!” But at the same time, I have to ask myself if I really made every day count in the bargain.
In my notes, I have written that “the value of dying is that it makes us aware of how limited time is. Our days are numbered! Make every day count for God!” I have learned the hard way that a lot of what we think is important – or makes us happy – is more about appearances and pleasing others than satisfying ourselves… much less God.
So here are a few things I have learned along the way...
I suggest that we start each day with a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of a new day. Ask God to show you what He has planned for your day… and work your own “to-do” list around His! Our days are numbered, but God can show us how to make every single one count. Are you wisely using all the time that you have?
©2012 Debbie Robus
We can expect seventy years, or maybe eighty, if we are healthy, but even our best years bring trouble and sorrow. Suddenly our time is up, and we disappear.
Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For the first twenty-five-plus years of my adult life, I lived and breathed by a schedule and calendar. In my years as a teacher, I planned everything around the school year and scheduled holidays. When I was not in summer school, I mapped out my summer days – to some degree - trying to get everything I felt I had to get done finished within the first week or two so I could “relax” and enjoy the rest of the break. I would frantically spend the first week or two of June doing all of my heavy house cleaning, any “summer sewing” and getting other “obligations” out of the way.
At the end of the summer break, I would allow a couple of weeks or more to get ready to go back to school… cleaning again, making meals to put in the freezer, and then actually working at school to get my room ready for the new class. I used to plan weekly menus – and stick to them! I have “to-do” lists from those years that would probably stack inches high on my desk. And yes, if you saw my laundry room filled with fabrics and crafts items waiting to become my latest project, you would say I still have “to-do” lists of sorts!
Now that I have the luxury of retirement and don’t have to plan my life around a work schedule, I can enjoy “going with the flow” more. There are many days when I say to myself – or anyone within earshot, “I got so much more done when I was working!” But at the same time, I have to ask myself if I really made every day count in the bargain.
In my notes, I have written that “the value of dying is that it makes us aware of how limited time is. Our days are numbered! Make every day count for God!” I have learned the hard way that a lot of what we think is important – or makes us happy – is more about appearances and pleasing others than satisfying ourselves… much less God.
So here are a few things I have learned along the way...
- It is okay to pick and choose. I have opted to spend time with my grandmother instead of attending the funeral of one of her friends. I have learned to say “No!” rather than stretch myself too thinly. A dear “other-mother” friend of mine told a mutual friend once, “’No!’ can be a holy answer!” My former pastor told me that “’No!” is a complete sentence!”
- Spending time on my own health and fitness benefits everyone… not just me. If I don’t take care of myself physically, mentally and spiritually, I cannot help those who need me… not to mention that God wants me to be the best “me” possible. (see point #1)
- If I get to the end of a busy, productive day and didn’t plan a meal for dinner, there is always peanut butter – or carry-out!
- “To-do” lists are great things… we should have goals. But just because something is on “the list” doesn’t mean the world will crash down around you if it doesn’t get done!
- Relationships are more important than crossing something off the list. A walk in the park with my husband trumps a clean floor any day. Ditto for time spent with our little ones, a phone conversation with a friend or family member, and dropping everything to comfort someone who is in need.
I suggest that we start each day with a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of a new day. Ask God to show you what He has planned for your day… and work your own “to-do” list around His! Our days are numbered, but God can show us how to make every single one count. Are you wisely using all the time that you have?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 8, 2012
Psalm 90:3-6
At your command we die and turn back to dust, but a thousand years mean nothing to you! They are merely a day gone by or a few hours in the night. You bring our lives to an end just like a dream. We are merely tender grass that sprouts and grows in the morning, but dries up by evening.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today, my cousin’s wife posted on Facebook that their daughter is doing a “senior pictures” photo shoot today. She made the remark, “How time flies…” And it does seem that way. One minute you are a little kid playing outside, riding your bike and swimming all summer… and the next you are working at a marina so others can play on the water… or you have a job in an office or facility with no windows that allow you to enjoy the beauty of summer… or you are taking your own children/grandchildren to parks, pools and lakes to play. It often seems like a dozen years go by like a day - or a few hours in the night!
So what does this mean for us as Christians? First, we must remember that time doesn’t mean the same thing to God as it does to us. He knew us long before we were born… and He will still care about us long after we die. We always matter to God... always!
Do you know how it feels to anticipate an event… maybe your graduation, a special party, your wedding day, a big game or concert… or even Christmas Day? You get so excited and worked up making plans and preparations… you think about the details and envision how much fun you will have… how wonderful the event will be. And then the day arrives, the event happens, and it’s over and done. So often, the planning and anticipation are more enjoyable than the actual event… most certainly better than the day after!
This brings us to the second thing to remember… that with God, there is no letdown. Each “new thing” is just that - a new experience - and He wants to give us more and more of these. But God wants us to savor each experience… to stop and appreciate where we are in life – where He has brought us, and where He will take us next.
Time does seem to pass quickly. But our job as Christians is to take time to enjoy every minute of each day… to count our blessings… and to look for opportunities to bless and serve others in God’s name. At the end of our earthly journey, when God turns us back to dust and calls us to Heaven, let it be said that we made the most of our time here. Whether you are given a few days or a hundred-plus years, make them count for Him.
God has incredible plans for each of our lives. Make sure that you give Him your very best every day of yours. The time may still seem to fly by… but you will have made the most of your earthly journey.
©2012 Debbie Robus
At your command we die and turn back to dust, but a thousand years mean nothing to you! They are merely a day gone by or a few hours in the night. You bring our lives to an end just like a dream. We are merely tender grass that sprouts and grows in the morning, but dries up by evening.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today, my cousin’s wife posted on Facebook that their daughter is doing a “senior pictures” photo shoot today. She made the remark, “How time flies…” And it does seem that way. One minute you are a little kid playing outside, riding your bike and swimming all summer… and the next you are working at a marina so others can play on the water… or you have a job in an office or facility with no windows that allow you to enjoy the beauty of summer… or you are taking your own children/grandchildren to parks, pools and lakes to play. It often seems like a dozen years go by like a day - or a few hours in the night!
So what does this mean for us as Christians? First, we must remember that time doesn’t mean the same thing to God as it does to us. He knew us long before we were born… and He will still care about us long after we die. We always matter to God... always!
Do you know how it feels to anticipate an event… maybe your graduation, a special party, your wedding day, a big game or concert… or even Christmas Day? You get so excited and worked up making plans and preparations… you think about the details and envision how much fun you will have… how wonderful the event will be. And then the day arrives, the event happens, and it’s over and done. So often, the planning and anticipation are more enjoyable than the actual event… most certainly better than the day after!
This brings us to the second thing to remember… that with God, there is no letdown. Each “new thing” is just that - a new experience - and He wants to give us more and more of these. But God wants us to savor each experience… to stop and appreciate where we are in life – where He has brought us, and where He will take us next.
Time does seem to pass quickly. But our job as Christians is to take time to enjoy every minute of each day… to count our blessings… and to look for opportunities to bless and serve others in God’s name. At the end of our earthly journey, when God turns us back to dust and calls us to Heaven, let it be said that we made the most of our time here. Whether you are given a few days or a hundred-plus years, make them count for Him.
God has incredible plans for each of our lives. Make sure that you give Him your very best every day of yours. The time may still seem to fly by… but you will have made the most of your earthly journey.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 24, 2011
Proverbs 20:24
The very steps we take come from GOD; otherwise how would we know where we're going?
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A few weeks ago, Timothy and his family moved to Texas, so we didn’t see our little guy for seven weeks. Now, you may be saying that this is not such a long time, but for us, it seemed like seven years. I was reminded to cherish every moment with him. Now that he is here for an extended stay, I’m doing just that! If he doesn’t take a nap when I want, I try to enjoy watching him wind down – even if he’s fussy. When he wakes me at 4:45 a.m. and says “Jack!” as in “Jack’s Big Music Show,” I try to realize that 2-year-olds have no clock, and he has no clue that grownups are still trying to sleep at this hour!
All too soon, this little guy will be too old for his Aunt DebDeb and Uncle Greg, and our chances to nurture and dote on him will be greatly diminished. We will never get back the cute giggles… the day he first started stringing sentences together… or all of those wonderful, sticky hugs and kisses he has for us now. And it’s not just little ones… last week my grandmother tearfully said to me, “Things are changing.” At nearly 99, she sees her time slipping away, and so do we. Before you know it, she will be off to heaven, and we will no longer have the opportunity to benefit from her presence – and her wisdom and wit.
My point is that God has numbered our steps. If it weren’t for God showing us the way and guiding us, we wouldn’t have a clue how to act or what to do… and for most of us, the results would be disastrous! I believe that God is calling us to slow down, to quit dreaming that hot summer days would give way to fall. I believe He is saying, “Don’t wish it were winter… or next week or next year! Enjoy the day I have given you… this day… this hour. Do what I am calling you to do in this time frame - whether it’s playing with a toddler, spending time with an elderly loved one, or standing in line at the grocery store.”
I believe God wants us to be more present in the moment… to be awake and alert for His blessings and opportunities to serve in His name at all times… not just when it’s convenient, we’re rested, and all of the stars align in the universe!
How are you living these days? Are you aware Who numbers your steps? Are you wishing your life away and rushing through things, or are you truly present in the moment… serving God and praising Him for each second of the day? How do you know where you are going?
©2011 Debbie Robus
The very steps we take come from GOD; otherwise how would we know where we're going?
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A few weeks ago, Timothy and his family moved to Texas, so we didn’t see our little guy for seven weeks. Now, you may be saying that this is not such a long time, but for us, it seemed like seven years. I was reminded to cherish every moment with him. Now that he is here for an extended stay, I’m doing just that! If he doesn’t take a nap when I want, I try to enjoy watching him wind down – even if he’s fussy. When he wakes me at 4:45 a.m. and says “Jack!” as in “Jack’s Big Music Show,” I try to realize that 2-year-olds have no clock, and he has no clue that grownups are still trying to sleep at this hour!
All too soon, this little guy will be too old for his Aunt DebDeb and Uncle Greg, and our chances to nurture and dote on him will be greatly diminished. We will never get back the cute giggles… the day he first started stringing sentences together… or all of those wonderful, sticky hugs and kisses he has for us now. And it’s not just little ones… last week my grandmother tearfully said to me, “Things are changing.” At nearly 99, she sees her time slipping away, and so do we. Before you know it, she will be off to heaven, and we will no longer have the opportunity to benefit from her presence – and her wisdom and wit.
My point is that God has numbered our steps. If it weren’t for God showing us the way and guiding us, we wouldn’t have a clue how to act or what to do… and for most of us, the results would be disastrous! I believe that God is calling us to slow down, to quit dreaming that hot summer days would give way to fall. I believe He is saying, “Don’t wish it were winter… or next week or next year! Enjoy the day I have given you… this day… this hour. Do what I am calling you to do in this time frame - whether it’s playing with a toddler, spending time with an elderly loved one, or standing in line at the grocery store.”
I believe God wants us to be more present in the moment… to be awake and alert for His blessings and opportunities to serve in His name at all times… not just when it’s convenient, we’re rested, and all of the stars align in the universe!
How are you living these days? Are you aware Who numbers your steps? Are you wishing your life away and rushing through things, or are you truly present in the moment… serving God and praising Him for each second of the day? How do you know where you are going?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 3, 2011
Proverbs 21:20
Be sensible and store up precious treasures-- don't waste them like a fool.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mother loves to travel. It seems like she is “on the go” a lot of the time, and one day she said, “I’m doing all I can while I am still young enough and able… because I know the day will come when I no longer can do all of this.” My mother is a writer, and she pursues her career as she travels, but she is also semi-retired, so she has the freedom and luxury of spare time to visit interesting destinations. She is storing up “precious treasures” in the form of memories of all of the places she has visited and people she has met.
But not all “treasures” we store are so precious! We seem to have time for some things… but not others. It’s sometimes interesting to see that working parents who will find time to watch a favorite television program, or sporting event are too busy to sit and hold a child and read a second bed-time story… or to toss a ball or shoot hoops with a fifth-grader after dinner. Busy adults have time to meet a friend for a cup of coffee or a night of Bunco or poker, but they can’t spare an hour to commiserate as an aging grandmother talks one more time about her declining health or Grandpa tells about his days as a soldier or the sore spot on his leg.
It’s amazing how friends have time to come over to your house and hang out or share a meal… but when you are sick or injured, they just don’t have time to drop by and even see if you need anything. It’s funny how we have time for concerts, sporting events, “important” meetings at work and school… but we can’t spare a couple of hours on Sunday for worship with fellow believers, much less an afternoon to do mission work.
I often think about my grandparents and my great-grandparents and how hard they worked… farming, doing all sorts of housework without microwaves and washing machines, refrigerators and gas or electric cook stoves. I marvel at how they made all of their own clothing and bedding… and still had time to teach children to sew and plant a garden, do mission work in their church, and study their Bible in the evenings. Some of my fondest memories of my grandparents are the times they seemed to drop everything they were doing just to do what I wanted or needed. Regrettably, I also recall times when I have told my own nieces or grandparents, “I’m just too busy for that.”
Often, what we think is precious treasure may actually be selfish pleasure. It is important that we learn to tell the difference… that we pay attention and ask God to show us which is which… and then make wise choices about how we spend our time. What consumes your time these days? Are you making the best use of your time and storing up treasures that matter for Eternity? Isn’t it time you began?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Be sensible and store up precious treasures-- don't waste them like a fool.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mother loves to travel. It seems like she is “on the go” a lot of the time, and one day she said, “I’m doing all I can while I am still young enough and able… because I know the day will come when I no longer can do all of this.” My mother is a writer, and she pursues her career as she travels, but she is also semi-retired, so she has the freedom and luxury of spare time to visit interesting destinations. She is storing up “precious treasures” in the form of memories of all of the places she has visited and people she has met.
But not all “treasures” we store are so precious! We seem to have time for some things… but not others. It’s sometimes interesting to see that working parents who will find time to watch a favorite television program, or sporting event are too busy to sit and hold a child and read a second bed-time story… or to toss a ball or shoot hoops with a fifth-grader after dinner. Busy adults have time to meet a friend for a cup of coffee or a night of Bunco or poker, but they can’t spare an hour to commiserate as an aging grandmother talks one more time about her declining health or Grandpa tells about his days as a soldier or the sore spot on his leg.
It’s amazing how friends have time to come over to your house and hang out or share a meal… but when you are sick or injured, they just don’t have time to drop by and even see if you need anything. It’s funny how we have time for concerts, sporting events, “important” meetings at work and school… but we can’t spare a couple of hours on Sunday for worship with fellow believers, much less an afternoon to do mission work.
I often think about my grandparents and my great-grandparents and how hard they worked… farming, doing all sorts of housework without microwaves and washing machines, refrigerators and gas or electric cook stoves. I marvel at how they made all of their own clothing and bedding… and still had time to teach children to sew and plant a garden, do mission work in their church, and study their Bible in the evenings. Some of my fondest memories of my grandparents are the times they seemed to drop everything they were doing just to do what I wanted or needed. Regrettably, I also recall times when I have told my own nieces or grandparents, “I’m just too busy for that.”
Often, what we think is precious treasure may actually be selfish pleasure. It is important that we learn to tell the difference… that we pay attention and ask God to show us which is which… and then make wise choices about how we spend our time. What consumes your time these days? Are you making the best use of your time and storing up treasures that matter for Eternity? Isn’t it time you began?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 13, 2011
Psalm 90:12
Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today, our great-nephew Timothy is two years old. The time has flown, and I fully understand what people mean when they say that we turn around and our children are grown! I sat at a recent high school baseball game and looked around at teenagers who I knew as babies just yesterday – or so it seemed. I looked at their young, energetic faces and watched them interact with friends. When you are in 8th or 9th grade, you think high school will never end, and one week after graduation, you’re wondering where the time went.
The next thing you know, you are a young adult. Maybe you went to college, and that time flew by. Maybe you went straight to work, and now you wonder where those years in your late teens-to-early twenties went. Young parents find themselves wondering where the time went as their babies rapidly grew into toddlers and young children.
Those becoming grandparents for the first time wonder how in the world they got there… when did their kids become old enough to have children of their own? Even older folks look at the younger ones and think, “I was their age… what seems like just yesterday!” The old cliché is no joke – time truly does fly!
I’ve said that I’m just now old enough to appreciate babies… and too old to chase after them! But one thing I have realized with Timothy is that each day I spend with him is a day I will never get back. So I have learned to let a lot of things go in favor of time spent reading books or dancing and singing to yet another episode of “Jack’s Big Music Show” – or riding the tricycle on the driveway and playing and splashing in the bath tub. So what if I don’t get the newspaper read or see the news and weather forecast. Who cares if I didn’t get my makeup on for a day or two and we stayed in our pj’s until nearly noon? What’s the worst that can happen if the house is a wreck for a week or two? We’re making memories and spending quality time together… and I’m making sure that Timothy knows how important he is to us.
One of the greatest commodities we have is time. Most of us will tell anyone who will listen that we never have enough of it. The truth is… most of us just don’t use our time wisely. There is nothing wrong with relaxing, having a hobby, working for a living – or even piddling away a few hours doing nothing. But many of us need to stop and take a hard look at our priorities… and how we use our time. We need to ask God to teach us how to use wisely all the time we have… when to work and when to play – and how to arrive at a healthy balance.
In so many areas of our life, we waste time that we will never get back again. We squander chances to enjoy the company of friends and family in favor of mundane or insignificant activities. We choose to participate in things that bring no meaning or purpose to our life… much less serve God in any capacity… and we think we are really living.
I challenge you today to stop and ask God if you are truly using wisely the time that He has given you. Ask Him to show you what activities are really worthwhile… and which ones you could easily eliminate. Pray for balance in your life between rest and relaxation – and honest, productive work. If you will trust God to show you how to use your time wisely, you will know when to earnestly give something your total attention… and when you need to simply stay home your pj’s and dance like a two-year-old. Our time is finite… how are you spending yours?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today, our great-nephew Timothy is two years old. The time has flown, and I fully understand what people mean when they say that we turn around and our children are grown! I sat at a recent high school baseball game and looked around at teenagers who I knew as babies just yesterday – or so it seemed. I looked at their young, energetic faces and watched them interact with friends. When you are in 8th or 9th grade, you think high school will never end, and one week after graduation, you’re wondering where the time went.
The next thing you know, you are a young adult. Maybe you went to college, and that time flew by. Maybe you went straight to work, and now you wonder where those years in your late teens-to-early twenties went. Young parents find themselves wondering where the time went as their babies rapidly grew into toddlers and young children.
Those becoming grandparents for the first time wonder how in the world they got there… when did their kids become old enough to have children of their own? Even older folks look at the younger ones and think, “I was their age… what seems like just yesterday!” The old cliché is no joke – time truly does fly!
I’ve said that I’m just now old enough to appreciate babies… and too old to chase after them! But one thing I have realized with Timothy is that each day I spend with him is a day I will never get back. So I have learned to let a lot of things go in favor of time spent reading books or dancing and singing to yet another episode of “Jack’s Big Music Show” – or riding the tricycle on the driveway and playing and splashing in the bath tub. So what if I don’t get the newspaper read or see the news and weather forecast. Who cares if I didn’t get my makeup on for a day or two and we stayed in our pj’s until nearly noon? What’s the worst that can happen if the house is a wreck for a week or two? We’re making memories and spending quality time together… and I’m making sure that Timothy knows how important he is to us.
One of the greatest commodities we have is time. Most of us will tell anyone who will listen that we never have enough of it. The truth is… most of us just don’t use our time wisely. There is nothing wrong with relaxing, having a hobby, working for a living – or even piddling away a few hours doing nothing. But many of us need to stop and take a hard look at our priorities… and how we use our time. We need to ask God to teach us how to use wisely all the time we have… when to work and when to play – and how to arrive at a healthy balance.
In so many areas of our life, we waste time that we will never get back again. We squander chances to enjoy the company of friends and family in favor of mundane or insignificant activities. We choose to participate in things that bring no meaning or purpose to our life… much less serve God in any capacity… and we think we are really living.
I challenge you today to stop and ask God if you are truly using wisely the time that He has given you. Ask Him to show you what activities are really worthwhile… and which ones you could easily eliminate. Pray for balance in your life between rest and relaxation – and honest, productive work. If you will trust God to show you how to use your time wisely, you will know when to earnestly give something your total attention… and when you need to simply stay home your pj’s and dance like a two-year-old. Our time is finite… how are you spending yours?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)