Reflection Moment
Redeeming the Time

Time - we’re given the same amount of it every day – 24 hours, that’s 1440 minutes or 86,400 seconds. Why does it seem like some people get more done with their time than others? Why is it that we never seem to get around to doing the things we really want to do? Just what are we doing with our time? Instead of needing more hours, we need to make better use of the time we have!!!

For this reflection moment I thought we’d just talk a minute about time. Chances are that you are putting a picture in your desk clock of someone you love and care about. It may be a spouse or a child, or your mum. It will be someone you care about. And hopefully, your clock will be displayed somewhere where you will see it every day (unless it’s a gift of course). Each time you see your clock, I hope that you will remember the following acrostic for time. And, by the way, if you are having trouble with getting more out of your time, I have heaps of resources at the front door for you to borrow. Just be sure to sign them out with your name and phone number. Thanks!

Time, let’s begin with the T.

The T stands for Togetherness. Am I spending any time during my day to promote togetherness in my home? Do I have my child or children in so many activities that they are spending very little time at home together as a family? Make plans to have family meals together as much as possible and spend that time learning more about each other and not speaking critically or negatively about the events or people in your day. Consider having a Family Fun Night each week. You’ll be amazed at how much your children will look forward to it, even as they grow older. Get the board games out and have some fun. Take short trips together…get outdoors and exercise together! Make memories now.

The I stands for Individuals. Take a moment to think about each individual in your home…it may be a spouse, a child, a partner, and several children. How much quality time are you setting aside each day with each person? Sometimes we get so caught in the urgent matters that we neglect those important things like our family. I once heard that no one has ever said on their death bed, “I wish I had spent more time in the office.” It’s more of regret for not spending time with our family. Our children will be young only once, enjoy them. Make sure you spend time with them as individuals. Have a date night with each one of them every once in a while? Are you still going out on dates with your spouse or partner? Make time for each other. The best thing you could ever do for your children is to love your spouse! Our spouses or partners may not always be with us, cherish them each day and do something to make them feel special.

The M stands for your Management. Just how are you managing your time? Am I prioritizing my day so I can have time with my family? Do I worry too much? Am I lazy? Do I procrastinate too much? Is their some clutter I need to get out of my life? My motto is “Eliminate and Concentrate.” Eliminate those things you don’t need and concentrate on those things that are important!! Am I wasting time watching too much TV or spending time on the Internet? Should I set the clock and get up a little bit earlier each morning? Is my job worth the time I’m away from my family? Do I need to take some time to get rid of all the clutter in my home and simplify my life? Do I need to look into some resources that will help me better manage my time? What about investing in a crock pot and spend less time in the kitchen cooking or cleaning up? There are some great recipes out there. We need to find out what is robbing each day of our precious time and do something about it now. Are the things I’m doing each day benefiting those people that I love and care about? We need to plan for our days but also be flexible for those unexpected interruptions in our lives.

Finally the E in our Time Acrostic stands for Eternity. Remember the story of Arthur Stace. How this man wrote the Eternity all over Sydney. In fact, it was displayed on the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the millennium New Year’s Eve celebration. Do you know why this man wrote Eternity everywhere? Well, to make a long story short, he had lived a very hard life. One day he walked into a church there in Sydney and made a decision to turn is life over to Jesus Christ as His Saviour. He knew then and there that he now had a home in Heaven when he died. He wanted everyone else to also think about their eternal destiny so he wrote Eternity on the foot paths wherever he went. This man couldn’t even write but God gave him the ability. What are you doing with your time that will last for eternity? Do you know for sure that you have a home in Heaven? We do not know how long we have on this earth? Your clock is ticking away. I’d love to tell you more if you’re interested how you can know for sure that you have an eternal home. Make each day count…the Bible tells us to not boast ourselves of tomorrow for we know not what a day may bring forth. It also says that our lives are just a vapour, or like a flower that withered away. Our time here is short so let’s make it count…T – Togetherness, I – Individuals, M – management and E – Eternity. Time is a precious commodity that once spent cannot be retrieved again. Let’s make the most of the time we’re given.
Speaking of time being short…we’d better get to work on our clocks!!!