Balancing Life Series: How Will You Spend It?

Today is the last installment of the Balancing Life Series. I have really enjoyed writing about life,  priorities,  time,  and how God is not limited by any of it! 

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I had an ah-ha moment last week as I was taking the Priority Challenge. I wrote down how I spent every thirty minute block of time and realized that it was so much like tracking my food/calorie intake. I was not aware of how much time I was giving to this or that until I actually wrote it down. 


Surprising. Enlightening. Humbling.


I wasn't aware that I spent 1 - 3 hours in the car every day. Wow. And though I can't change the fact that I live 13 minutes away from Ryan's school and 12 minutes away from my office the other direction, I desire to make better use of that time. If I with my kids, I want to use that precious time to check in with them or chat about their day. Seems like I am normally checked out or even scolding them for being late or unfocused.


I didn't realize that even though I start my day with God and my cup of coffee, reading my devotional and Scripture, I rarely have any other "devoted" time to spend with the Lord. And I am in ministry! I talk to Him throughout the day, but if I ever have extra time, it is usually spent watching TV, reading, or on social media. (Just being real.)


So, does my reality line up with my priorities? Let's just say I want to be a better steward of the gift of time that God has given me. Not to be legalistic or follow some rule book, but to honor God. And just like I try to make good choices about food, I want to make good choices regarding my time. 


My devotional today in Sarah Young's Jesus Calling says this, "When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today's agenda. If it isn't, release it into My care and go on about today's duties. When you follow this practice, there will be a beautiful simplicity about your life..."


It has been said that time is the one asset of which we all have the same amount. The difference is how we spend it.

There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth... Ecclesiastes 3:1

How will you spend your time? Remember God is not bound by time and He knows what is best for you. Ask Him...He will give you direction. If this series has been encouraging or helpful to you in any way, I would love to hear! Please comment below or if you are reading by email, click here.


Living for ONE,


Kelli


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Balancing Life Series: Priorities vs. Reality

At the risk of sounding very corny, I have composed some lyrics today for our blog time together.  I have either had too much coffee or not enough. 


In memory of Whitney Houston (one of my faves growing up), I would like for you to sing my lyrics to the tune of "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" If you don't know the song, well, you should. Anyway, sing along:

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Where does all the time go?
Can it find its way home
Back to my calendar
of a month that's flying by?
And If I really need it
Won't it always be there?
I look at my time
and I know that it is all, up to me












Still reading? Whew. Thanks to the few of you who continued after that. I am continuing the Balancing Life Series. If you missed the first two posts,  you can read them here:

• The Balancing Act: Juggling Life
• First Things First

Seriously, we wonder where our time goes. We pause at the end of the day and think, "What did I really do today?" If you are like me and find yourself having these discussions with yourself often, we might need some intervention.


You have heard the old adage, "You can identify someone's priorities by looking at their checkbook and their calendar." I believe there is some truth to that statement. How we spend our time or our money does indeed show what or who is important to us. But maybe what we want to be important to us doesn't really line up with what is showing up on the calendar or in the checkbook. Time for CHANGE.


I want to issue a PRIORITY CHALLENGE. Yes, I want us to take this next week starting today and ending with next Wednesday and really look at what's important to us. 
What are we going to do?

• Make a list of priorities -- what we really WANT to be important in our lives.
• Take a blank calendar and actually write in what you did in thirty minute blocks. Include everything - eating, sleeping, family time, working, shopping, cooking, reading, etc. Need a blank calendar? (Find one here.)
• I know many of us already have calendars with appointments and such on them - you can use them to remember things, but not to actually record for this week.

What I have found by doing this is that my reality (what I actually do with my time) does not line up with my priorities (how I want to use my time.) If I want my family to know that they are important to me, I need to use my time in a way that truly reflects that.

I know life is crazy. Trust me...mine is too. (just read my post about my life on a mine train.) But this challenge is to help us both. The worst that could happen is for 2012 to fly by and we wonder...where did all the time go? Let's not wonder anymore...let's figure it out!

If you are in on this challenge, then just comment, I'm in! We'll check back in next Wednesday and I might just give away a prize! (Like a CD with me singing my new time lyrics to Whitney Houston's music.) And if you are reading by email...I love you and you can comment here.

I believe God wants us to be good stewards and managers of everything He has given us - including our time. Living for ONE means using our time in a way that ultimately glorifies Him.

Living for ONE,

Kelli

linking with Courtney at Women Living Well