The most common complaint about time management is lack of time. With most of our moments already spoken for by the work that pays the bills or the tasks that keep family life on the rails, the challenge is to make the most of our little minutes, the time on the fringes of our days.
For example, if you are an average reader (250 words per minute), 15 minutes per day will take your eyes through 3,910 pages in one year. That’s 20 books! If you struggle to set and keep fitness goals, consider the efficiency of a 20-minute walk.
A Matter of Focus
Like beads on a string, our minutes slide by. Poor, cynical Solomon bemoaned the futility of it all, dismissing his significant accomplishments as a chasing after the wind. Author Annie Dillard speaks a better and more hopeful wisdom:
“How we live our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
If you’re a regular here at Living Our Days, you’ve heard that quote before, and today I’m sharing it along with some thoughts on Time Management over at the writing home of my friend Kelly R. Baker.
Click here to join me as we spend some time discussing the importance of stewarding our time without making an idol of efficiency. Time management in light of the gospel means that God will help me to perform my daily, mundane tasks with Leviticus-Level attention to detail, investing the same purposefulness that transformed curtains of goats’ hair and rams’ skins into a house of worship.
I look forward to your input to the discussion over at Kelly’s place!
Subscribe to get regular Bible studies and book reviews from Living Our Days delivered to your inbox. Just enter your e-mail address in the box at the top of this page.
I link-up with a number of blogging communities on a regular basis. They are listed in the left sidebar by day of the week. I hope that you will take a moment to enjoy reading the work of some of these fine writers and thinkers.
Exactly, as an avid reader I know that even if I spend 30 minutes a day for reading then I can finish 3 books a month.
LikeLike
Absolutely! If we manage our minutes well, we an accomplish so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Time comes and goes. How we spend that time is vital. Sharing time with God is most important. I like to start each day thanking Him for His blessings. 🙂
LikeLike
Great way to start the day! And a good way to end it as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved reading your thoughts! It’s encouraging to me and a reminder to not try and put too much on my plate each day!
LikeLike
Yes! I actually bought a smaller planner a few years ago and continue to do that just because it forces me to write fewer tasks on each day’s square!
LikeLike
Love this wisdom and insight, Michele! Great stuff indeed and something we all can benefit from. There is no doubt we can lament not having enough time and as we get older we are even more aware of how quickly time is flying and how much less we have than we had hoped. I once heard a high school graduation speaker say: “Do not waste time, for time is what life is made of. What we are is God’s gift to us. What we make of ourselves is our gift to God.” It is the balance of it all in that process where most of us get stuck from time to time (if not continually). Have a great day!
LikeLike
Thanks, Pam. I’m following that trail of breadcrumb-wisdom you’re leaving for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘… But people are not made to be folded’ Thank you Michele for time-worthy reading! My efficiency readily bypasses eye contact with people. Your post has been a good reminder of what God has been nudging me about. Thank you.
LikeLike
Oh, thank you for identifying with me in my people folding tendencies.
LikeLike
This message is one we need to hear often. I know I needed to hear it. Thanks for sharing. God bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we’re wise to view time management as something we pick up in a new way every day. I’m convinced that it will always be a challenge for me, particularly in the area of balance and not making an idol out of my daily do-list.
LikeLike
So many good thoughts here! And you know I am always drawn to any reference to Elisabeth Elliot. But I so appreciated your own words here: “Balancing the tyranny of tasks and the tenderness of meaningful relationships,” as this is so vital! Thank you for sharing your heart and the Lord’s wisdom that He has given you over the years. Blessings!
LikeLike
Yup, she’s my hero, too, and her words ring in my head so often in reference to plain old choices in which I’m given the opportunity to “consider it a chance to die.”
Thanks, Bettie, for taking time to read and share your thoughts here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just read your piece over at Kelly’s. Loved every word. I especially need to prioritize right now in my week off.
LikeLike
I hope you enjoy your week off, and that you will be able to look back on good times of rest and good times of productivity. All in balance!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How I spend my time is so crucial, because once spent it can never be recalled. Thank you for a very “timely” post!
LikeLike
That’s a sobering thought, and so true.
Help us, Lord, to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even those with more discretionary time can waste it, I know. I’m retired and it took me awhile to figure out I still needed a plan to be happy with how my day was spent.
LikeLike
So wise.
I’m far from retired, but I’ve gone from homeschooling four sons to homeschooling only one, so there are days when I feel absolutely un-tethered. I can see how it would be easy to fritter away the whole day without a good plan going into it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a great reminder of time. It seems there is never enough and yet there always seems time for the robbers of it (FB, Instagram, etc.)
LikeLike
Spoken like a prophet, Carrie!
LikeLike
Time slips by so quickly. I treasure the few moments I have to write blog posts to share the word of God!
LikeLike
Amen! It’s a privilege we must not take for granted!
LikeLike
Sometimes it feels to futile to break all those tasks into small increments– spending 20 minutes everyday exercising, 15 minutes a day cleaning, 15 minutes a day reading, etc. but all those increments really do add up over time. Thanks for sharing with us at Love to Learn. Pinned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
God blesses our least effort and meets us in the midst of it. Thanks for reading and for sharing!
LikeLike
I find when my priorities are in order then time is not so much an issue. God has a way of sorting it out when we put him first. #ablogginggoodtime
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said and well done!
LikeLike
Love that quote from Annie Dillard. Such a perfect title to go along with it, Michele!
LikeLike
Me, too, Crystal. It’s the basis for the title of my blog, and it was a huge inspiration to me when I had little boys and felt as if my days were full of small things.
LikeLike
Really useful post. Time management is key to success in anything you do. Having it grounded by God’s principles makes you accomplish your goals.
LikeLike
Great point, John. Our times are in His hands.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Time management and idolatry where time is concerned is definitely a balancing act. I know I need God’s help all the time in this area.
LikeLike
It’s always a struggle to keep from making “good things into ultimate things.” (Tim Keller’s definition of idolatry.)
With you in the challenge of it, Donna. Thanks for reading and for your own encouraging writing!
LikeLike
I loved your article at Kelly’s, Michele! Thanks for giving us meaty thoughts to chew on, my friend!
LikeLike
Thanks, Beth!
LikeLike
I’ve been convicted lately about some ways I’m wasting my time. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
Tina
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always a challenge, isn’t it?
Blessings to you as you live out the truth that our times are in His hands.
LikeLike
As you know this comes at a good time for me, whilst I have been struggling with too much on my plate. Managing time and working out where our time is worthy being spent is a must in order to live our days with happiness and purpose. Thank you Michelle, and thanks for linking up with us for #ablogginggoodtime
LikeLike
It always makes me happy to hear that a post has landed on someone’s heart at just the right time! Blessings to you as you continue the process of sorting.
LikeLike
[…] chose Managing Time on the Fringes by Living Our Days. “Time is tough in anyone’s […]
LikeLike
[…] is “Bigger Than This” – Powerful New Song by Jo Dee Messina by Homespun DevotionsManaging Time On The Fringes by Living Our DaysHow We Complement Each Other In Marriage by G & […]
LikeLike