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Time.

I've been thinking a lot lately about time.

My time, specifically.

I had expected, all those years I was raising preschoolers, that once I got all three kids in school, I would have oodles and oodles of time to use however I pleased.

Time to finally chase all those pursuits I'd had to put on hold.

Time to practice my photography.

Time to take classes.

Time to turn up the radio and clean my house like a mad woman, totally uniterrupted by little fingers poking my leg.

Time to scrapbook.

Time to have lunch with friends...


My kids are gone for six and a half hours, five days a week.

That's a lot of time.

And yet, I feel busier than ever.

Where does the time go?

I'm not sure.

But I'm determined to work it out.

Determined to put in place a purposeful and thoughtful plan for my days.

I knew it would take me awhile to find my groove after they were all back in school.

The thing I didn't know, is that I would have to create the groove.

I don't want to spend my days running from one thing to the next.

I've never been that woman.

I work hard not to overschedule myself.

And yet, I feel like I've been running.

And I'm out of breath.

So I'm re-evaluating.

And prioritizing.

And planning.

I've got to think ahead.

And be smart.


I want to be the person who makes time for longer walks.

And creativity.

And time with God.

And personal enrichment.

And fun.

And I need to work to be sure these things happen.

So that's what I've been thinking about...

That just because I have all this time, doesn't mean I automatically use it wisely.

Nope.

And I want to use it wisely.

So I'll be working on that.


I set my alarm for 6:00 am this morning.

That was a good start.

I think I need to get up early for those few minutes of quiet and darkness before I have to face the day.

Time to pray.

And focus.

And plan the hours ahead.


I hate to put a name on it, like 'time management.'

That sounds really goal oriented and corporate and anal.

All those things I'm not.

So I choose to think of it as worship.

Using my time as a means to show God I love him...

Then I really want to do it well...


I'll let you know how it goes...

Comments

  1. Kelly8:06 AM

    You let me know how that works out for ya. I am fumbling with this problem also! I have very few pressing priorities...why can't I get them done? Perhaps if I spent less time bloggin....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mary Jo 8:40 AM

    Cathy - I was just thinking about this today!
    Where does the time go?!!
    Before Evan was born, I always felt so busy. In a way I didn't know what busy was, but I was busy with life.
    I'm trying to prioritize and organize and all that good stuff as well. Not hiding in my little turtle shell either, but reaching out to people.
    I can already tell it's going to be quite a journey and I can't wait to hear how it goes for you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous4:37 PM

    That's a good way to put it. Worship, not time management. We are worshiping God by using our time wisely. Great point. I'll have to try some of the same thigns... though I go to school, so I don't have as much time. Then again I don't have 3 kids of my own either.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mindy Buller8:32 PM

    LaNae and I have a joke how mom's with their kids in school full time say that they are busier than ever (as they go out to coffee with their friends.) :-)

    It is always about being purposeful, isn't it. Anything that is worth doing requires a purposeful strategy. The older I get, the more convinced I get of that fact!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tom Atkins11:44 AM

    I really WOULD like to know how it goes. You're on to something important.

    Tom

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chrissy King9:48 PM

    Cathy. I like you. I really do. I love how you put your heart into everything you say! I love these thoughts and this idea of worshiping God with our time. I confess I am not good at this. I seem to live running from one thing to another. But I don't want to keep living that way. Thanks for sharing a piece of your heart with us. Especially a piece I can relate to so well! Hugs!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Katy11:37 AM

    LOVE THIS!!

    How we spend our time, our day, our thougths IS how we show our love for God, isn't it?

    Thanks for the reminder!!
    :)
    Glad I got a chance to catch up on your blog today! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous3:29 PM

    I would love to do this too... this sounds perfect!

    ReplyDelete

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