Time: Gift or Possession?
On the blog: Tell us how you view time
Have you ever considered that redeeming time might mean managing time less, and paying attention more?
Often our time management is so rigid that it doesn’t allow for interruptions—for the joy of life to flow through our day. Some of those interruptions are actually the things that help the joy of life to flow through our day if we just take the time to see them that way. When we become stingy we usually end up losing what we are trying so hard to hang on to.
Make an attempt to consciously redeem some time each day:
- Take the time to listen to your child’s story and look them in the eye as you listen; giving them your full attention.
- Take time to join your spouse in some activity even if you simply watch something on TV with him/her that you wouldn’t necessarily do.
- Take a quiet walk by yourself to look up at the stars or view a sunrise or sunset.
- Take a moment to call that someone you’ve been meaning to.
We have a need for rest that will not go away, we yearn for it whether we want to or not. But the taskmaster’s of our lives are always whispering in our ear that we do not have the right to rest. The taskmaster of our mind constantly pokes at us that we cannot rest till our work is done, when in reality the work is never done. Rest is not the well-deserved holiday, or the reward for getting everything done; it is actually the gift amidst the week’s work. It is not a bonus, it is a time to come guilt free and refresh our spirit even in the eye of chaos.
God cares about each one of us, and desires for us to take some time to reflect on Him and not just on ourselves. Our lives were meant to be slower and to allow us time to look beyond ourselves. Taking time to give our worries to God, to slow down and help a fellow human being, to be still, is healing for both the mind and body.
Lets try to take time to embrace what gives life and cease from doing everything we think is necessary. Discover pure joy in the simple moments of life. Be conscious of your body working for you throughout the day, enjoy a few deep breaths and the smell of the crisp air. Notice life around you and stop in the busy day to note these blessings that set our hearts and minds on things above and bring a sense of calm to our souls.
“Teach us to number our days aright.” Psalm 90:12
- Jen Bowz is a spa owner and a dedicated time manager who intentionally finds gratitude and joy in her day and encourages others to find it as well.
5 Responses to “Time: Gift or Possession?”
Leave a Reply
Start a Conversation
Media
Soul Cravings: Seeking
Is it possible that God has been actively seeking you, possibly even for a lifetime?
>Watch
Do you crave destiny? (Part 2)
Destiny? Is this really me? Was I really born for great things?
>Watch
Jen, thank you for your teaching. It is a good
thing to be reminded from time to time about
redeeming the time in our lives. I usually keep
a busy schedule, working, church activities,home activities and then down time.
I recently went through a season of change,due to my husband being injury on his
job which led to surgery and out of work for 7
months. During this season I felt it was God will for me to put some things aside and spent
as much time as I could with my husband, I had drive him around some. I began to really
see that time was very precious, important and short, and it needed to be valued more.
The time my husband and I had together was
so special. Now I try to keep this in mind, since
that season has come to and end. My grand-
daughter the other day was telling about a
movie she saw, when I picked her up after
school one day. My granddaughter was so ex-
cited as she talked, but my focus was divided
between her and what I had to do when I got
home. When we arrived home she stop telling
the story, I changed clothes and got into the
kitchen to start dinner. My granddaughter came into the kitchen and began to resume the story. My focus again was divided, on what
she was saying and the me preparing dinner.
Finally she said something that caught my
attention and I then turned to her and gave
her my full attention. What my granddaughter
was trying to tell me was so important to her
and so important to her to tell me. Jen your
writing really brought it to home about taking
out time to rest, and enjoy daily life. My family
and love ones is part of taking out time to en-
joy quality time with them. Jen thank you once
again for your writing, I needed this reminder.
After reading the article I’ve come to realize that each person needs to make time daily to reflect on God’s goodness to us, make time for rest, and make time for family recreation. Very often I find myself extremely busy since I am involved with lots of church activities, work events and a sociial club.
I have decided that the coming year will see a
change in how I choose to spend my time. This means that I will learn to say NO. The article is extremely timely and inspiring. Thanks for the thoughts shared.
What a good reminder of how we should view time especially during this holiday season when everyone seems to be stressed for time. Viewing it as a gift means we have control over it, and we have it free to give to others…..so time on the couch with my husband while watching football playoffs or a hockey game is a gift I can give. I am going to have to remind myself of that over the next month when I am feeling stressed….this is a gift that I can freely give!
Thank u a good article
What a great reminder to come “guilt free” and refresh my spirit even in the midst of all that is going on.
Thank you Jen, for this wisdom this morning.
It’s a timely reminder, at the beginning of 2010, to build “rest” into my days.
God bless you.