time....

it's been a while, too long actually, since i wrote anything worth posting. 

life happens. it often gets in the way of the things we want to do as we accomplish the things we must do.  like go to work so we can pay the bills. or care for children who are too young to care for themselves. or even fulfill commitments to friends, family, church or ministry.  it seems that there is never enough time to fit it all in.  

time is fickle and fleeting. one moment you are staring down a 5 day weekend, excited for all the things that can be accomplished. house projects, lunch with friends, visits with loved ones, time to write and create, do laundry, exercise, then all of a sudden it's monday and you are back to work, school or wherever it is you must be.

as time continues on i find i have less and less of it.  i am also learning that how i manage the time i have impacts how much i have! it seems there is so little when i "waste" the time i have been given.  i am not talking about needed rest for the body and mind, but time spent on things that do not grow my mind, body or spirit.  like scrolling for what to "watch" and an hour has past. or scrolling thru Instagram and 2 hours have past.  

now i have no energy, no desire to do anything, i don't feel rested and i have no time but to get ready for the work day and go to bed. next day, repeat. next day, repeat.....now the weekend has come, nothing has been done and i race around trying to "enjoy" the time off, doing things i like and must do, yet not doing "everything" that i want to do. i have not even spent the time i could in nourishing my soul by feeding it on God's word.  

the most important thing i can do with my time is to spend it growing my faith, my walk and my relationship with Jesus.  when i put Him first, when i give Him the first of my time not just what is leftover (if there is any leftover!) i surprisingly have the time to do the things i need to and want to.  i am in a better place spiritually, which benefits me mentally, emotionally and physically.  i am equipped to handle life and all that comes with it! 

we are instructed to develop a deep relationship with God, knowing Him, His Son and His Spirit so that we can navigate our lives, maximize our time and avoid taking detours that rob us of.........you got it....time!  i have wasted, continue to waste so. much. time.   i will never get back what is gone, but i can move forward.  each day is a clean slate, a new opportunity to write a new page in my story.  some days the pages will be filled with time not wasted. some days will be a wash.  

time keeps ticking away no matter how it is spent. may i be more mindful of how precious a gift it is and use it wisely.

psalm 39:4-5; psalm 90:10; ecclesiastes 9:11; ephesians 5:15-17; proverbs 26:14; colossians 4:5; romans 12:2, ecclesiastes 3:1,