Time. There is so much to say about time. I am reminded of this every January when it's time to put that new calendar up on the wall. If yours is like the one we use at our house, it has big blocks where you can write in happenings on certain days—doctor or dentist appointments, haircuts, birthdays, etc. Of course these days, most people keep these things on their smart phones. This girl still has a dumb phone and uses a paper calendar. Either way, it is how we keep track of our busy lives and how we plan our time. Time. It's the one thing that we all have the same amount of...no matter who we are. We are all given twenty-four hours of it which makes up a day. Some of us use it more wisely than others. Sadly, I must admit that I tend to fall into the "others" group more than I would like. I am trying to do better in that area.
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16
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There are so many familiar phrases we say regarding time. Here are some examples:
living on borrowed time
time waits for no one
it's about time
time heals all wounds
time is fleeting
time is of the essence
a moment in time
passing time
spending time
waiting for the right time
now is the time
some other time
the right time
killing time
as time goes by
time flies when you're having fun
stand the test of time
just in time
time is an illusion
time is money
it's just a matter of time
one day at a time
...and not to be forgotten, the infamous line from that YouTube sensation...
"ain't nobody got time fa dat".
Then there was this other one...the one I wanted to ignore. But it kept screaming at me.
Wasting time.
“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.”
~ William Penn
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I must say that I have some repenting to do and some changes to make. Even as I sit here putting together this post—finding scriptures and quotes, etc., I am finding myself convicted about this area of my life.
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There are things that I leave undone and my priorities can certainly be messed up at times. The jury is still out on the verdict of if my blog is a time waster. There have been a few times since I started it that I felt like it was...and then, just like that, someone spoke encouragement to me or told me that something I posted blessed them in some way. It felt like God was telling me it was okay...but to keep it in perspective.
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalms 90:12
I want...no, I need to give God more of my time.
Wasted Hours
~by M.S. Lowndes
So many hours are spent in
Pursuing our earthly desires
Without asking what God's plans are
Or what from us He requires
We struggle so hard to fill
The emptiness and the boredom,
We look unto earthly pleasures
To fill the void within
We look unto earthly pleasures
To fill the void within
But so much time is wasted
In things that have no worth,
Things that seem to take the place
Of what we know should be first
In things that have no worth,
Things that seem to take the place
Of what we know should be first
Like our relationship with God
And our faith in Jesus Christ,
For He's the only one to fullfill
The emptiness we have inside
And our faith in Jesus Christ,
For He's the only one to fullfill
The emptiness we have inside
Our hope of eternal glory
With Jesus Christ, our Lord,
This should be our only focus,
For nothing in life is worth more.
With Jesus Christ, our Lord,
This should be our only focus,
For nothing in life is worth more.
That poem really spoke to my heart because it is full of truth. If we are doing things to just fill up space in our lives, He wants us to replace those spaces with HIM!
That is what I am striving for in 2014!
What about you?
Blessings,
Sharing here:
http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2014/01/welcome-back.html
http://myfreshlybrewedlife.com/2014/01/weekend-brew-light-speaks.html
http://www.deidrariggs.com/2014/01/04/sunday-80/
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2014/01/amaze-me-monday-40.html
http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/2014/01/following-god-in-2014-and-sharing-his.html
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2014/01/198th-inspire-me-tuesday.html
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2014/01/wow-us-wednesdays-151.html
http://www.flusterbuster.com/2014/01/flusters-creative-muster-linky-party-53.html
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2014/01/nuts-about-winter.html
http://jannolson.blogspot.com/2014/01/share-your-cup-thursday-86.html
http://www.impartinggrace.com/2014/01/grace-at-home-no-88.html
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2014/01/friendship-friday-from-a-to-z-102.html
http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2014/01/welcome-back.html
http://myfreshlybrewedlife.com/2014/01/weekend-brew-light-speaks.html
http://www.deidrariggs.com/2014/01/04/sunday-80/
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2014/01/amaze-me-monday-40.html
http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/2014/01/following-god-in-2014-and-sharing-his.html
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2014/01/198th-inspire-me-tuesday.html
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2014/01/wow-us-wednesdays-151.html
http://www.flusterbuster.com/2014/01/flusters-creative-muster-linky-party-53.html
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2014/01/nuts-about-winter.html
http://jannolson.blogspot.com/2014/01/share-your-cup-thursday-86.html
http://www.impartinggrace.com/2014/01/grace-at-home-no-88.html
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2014/01/friendship-friday-from-a-to-z-102.html
This is good. I will be the first to admit that I can tend to get off balance. With the blog, social media, work, raising my kids, home life -- if I'm not careful I can totally forget that God wants to be involved in everything, and most importantly, He must have first place. I do pray my blog and writing are a blessing. I have to fight hard to keep it all in perspective. It's easy to lose yourself in the words and affirmation, at least for me. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteBarbie, your blog certainly is a blessing! At least I can say I'm in good company... I guess many of us struggle with this, don't we?
DeleteHave a blessed week!
Great post! We could all use our time more wisely. Here is my SS:
ReplyDeletehttp://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2014/01/spiritual-sunday-not-for-moment-1514.html
Colletta
Thank you, Colletta...Happy New Year!
DeleteI appreciate this reminder. There was a similar message in the daily devotional I read this morning. Guess I'd better pay attention! Thank you, Debby.
ReplyDeleteJanet, it seems I am being reminded every where I turn! Hmmm...I think I'm getting the message too! I totally agree with you.
DeleteBlessings,
Debby
Debby,
ReplyDeletea great reminder and a confirmation of what the Lord has been dealing with me about. Thank you for this good reminder! I so enjoy your blog, especially the ones like today's, that deal with spiritual issues. So many other blogs are only or mostly about decorating, linky parties galore etc.,but you lift me up with your words and the Scripture every week. I love your blog and hope you keep blogging! God bless you as you draw closer to Him and help others along the way!
Mary, thank you so much for your kind comments! I have received so many blessings and encouragement from other blogs too. They have inspired me to keep my blog about things that really matter most and if I am able to encourage someone else, I feel like I am doing what I set out to do through the Lord.
DeleteMany blessings to you in 2014!
Debby
That was a beautifully constructed post with wonderful images. You know what I really think about time? We need only to listen to Him about how to use it. A beautiful day to you...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vee...you are so right...we need to listen to Him!
DeleteBlessings, friend :)
Wonderful combination of image and thought. The verse from Ephesians is especially meaningful to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Susan.
DeleteBeautiful post, Debbie. These same thoughts have been on my heart. I love the poem by Lowndes. I've read it before and it always strikes right the core, doesn't it? May God help us to wisely redeem the time we have left.
ReplyDeleteNew Year blessings, my friend.
Dayle, It seems like I have been hearing the same message everywhere I turn. Yesterday at church, our pastor started a new series of messages entitled "30 Days to Live". This really reinforced what God has been trying to say to me and it sounds as though He is speaking the same to many others. Have a wonderful week :)
DeleteDebby, The form that this was written in and the subject matter was so Timely :)
ReplyDeleteI will be Pin these pics on a new board called (TIME)
Blessings to you, and it was too cold for me to get out to Church this morning :(
Notice how different it feels when I am not able to get out and fellowship with the other saints!
Guess I will be watching Green Bay brave the Tundra!! And I am not even a big fan, but you have to be amazed at their Fan Ability.. Love, Roxy
Thank you, Roxy....and I appreciate the little pun :) We are about to get the blast of cold air...not as cold as what you have, but the coldest in 20 years here in NC. Stay warm, sweet friend and many blessings to you in 2014!
DeletePlease don't give up your blog.It is posts like this which are convicting yet encouraging.I have had so many times when God used someone on the blog to speak to my heart.Sometimes He uses people to re-enforce what I have already read in the Bible.
ReplyDeleteI have received so much inspiration and encouragement from other blogs too, including yours! I just don't want my blog to be about me...God has given us all different gifts and I don't think He wants us to keep them hidden or unused. Thank you sweet Ruth, for keeping me encouraged :)
DeleteBeautiful post and pictures Debby. A good reminder for all of us ... me especially because I feel that I waste a lot of time with blogging.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good works.
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
Thank you, sweet Audrey :) Blessings to you in 2014!
DeleteWow, what an incredible post, Debby Ray. The photos and the words are very inspiring and such a good lesson. The quote from William Penn is so true - will have to write that one down. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week!
Thank you, sweet Stephanie...I pray I can put my words into practice now. Happy New Year to you!
DeleteGreat photos! And, YES, time is important. Day by day. Good reminder. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Caryjo! Many blessings to you in 2014!
DeleteJust stunning and so very gorgeous. Blessed by stopping here.. We have the same old watch as the one on top and bottom in Silver. Its really old and from our family
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
Thank you, Lisa...this watch is a family heirloom from my hubby's family. It is engraved with the names and birth/death years (two of them are deceased) of 4 generations of James Rays, including my husband and our oldest son. We need to get it to the jewelers to include our grandson's name. There is no more room after that so if our grandson ever has a boy and he names him James, I don't know where they will find room! I love this old watch and love photographing it. It has served as an awesome reminder to me of how precious our time on this earth is.
DeleteBlessings for a great 2014!
A convicting post, Debby. So true.
ReplyDeleteNow...if only I can put this into practice...
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and I love your pretty snaps. To answer your question, no, I love my Rooster dishes and they are staying with me.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Thank you, Sheila.
DeleteBeautifully written Debby! So true, our time is valuable and we need to be mindful of how we spend it...ouch! Reevaluating for 2014...
ReplyDeleteBlessings sweet friend!!!
Cindy
Me too, Cindy....me too :) Blessings right back at you!
DeleteDebby, goodness. This is one of the most beautiful posts. I absolutely loved the photos that you shared. And your thoughts? Well, though convicting to me also, they were perfectly written. I don't want to waste time. And, in providing me with a challenging word for 2014 - JOY - I think the Lord is trying to tell me not to waste so much time on complaining!
ReplyDeleteWords to take to my heart this day.
GOD BLESS!
(I have seen that YouTube video that you mentioned. Have you seen the one, "Reality Hits You Hard, Bro"? That one's also a hoot. Thanks to my son, I'm keeping current on this stuff!!)
Thank you Sharon...I love what you said about wasting time complaining...that is so true for me too. And I will have to look up that video on YouTube...I don't think I've seen that. I love your word for 2014...I do my best to practice JOY everyday :)
DeleteBlessings, friend!
Debby
P.S. If you have received more than one reply, please disregard...my comment back to is doing weird things on my blog :)
Thank you and glad you stopped by!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I love all the beautiful winter pictures in your header...just gorgeous. .
ReplyDeleteThen this post itself between your visuals and text is not only lovely but thoughtful and inspirational.
I think that after the holidays we all re-visit time spent on this and that and then as bloggers it becomes natural to examine that facet of our lives as well. And you...you have this wonderful post that sums all of it up just perfectly :)
Thank you for the time that you spent on it...I know posts like this take quite a bit of thought and attention as well as time, and I for one appreciate it ( and you : )
Deb from Homespun & Frugal Little Bungalow
Debra, your kind comments have certainly blessed and encouraged me...thank you so much! I am pretty sure that many of us struggle in this area and as I do in many of my posts, I'm writing it to myself :) I hope your new year has gotten off to a great start!
DeleteBlessings,
Debby
I like the new look of your blog! Thanks for sharing at the Creative Muster.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robin...and thanks for hosting!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post to read as I start the new year! Thank you for this good word. I love that verse from Psalms 90 -- one of my favorites. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lyli (I love the way you spell your name) for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Now, if I can only put this into practice! Have a great new year!
DeleteBlessings,
Debby
What a beautiful post Debby!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us for Friendship Friday!
I love the poem AND the images!
Create With Joy
http://create-with-joy.com
Thanks, Ramona....I appreciate your hosting the party too!
DeleteBlessings,
Debby
Hi, Debby. I just noticed that you're my newest follower, and as promised, here I am, your newest follower as well! What a lovely, thought-provoking post this is. Many of the points you make are ones I mull over, especially in terms of blogging and Pinterest... Thank you for the insights you share. ~Zuni
ReplyDeleteHi Zuni...thank you! Your blog is lovely and will be looking forward to keeping up with your posts! Have a blessed weekend :)
ReplyDeleteSo true Debby. I struggle with the same problem, and know that I am a poor time manager in so many areas of my life, but I most regret not giving enough time to Him and His will. It is a priority for this new year. God's blessings as we strive to honor Him.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs,
Patti
Debby, I loved your thoughts and your beautiful photos. We all could use our time more wisely. But I think the good Lord understands. He creeps into my mind and thoughts numerous times a day. Yes, I could do better, but it all takes time. lol! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann