Beginning with this post I am going to do a three part series on different aspects of time. It is a subject that keeps popping up in my life so I thought I would share it with you, I hope you enjoy it!
Number your days… I love this idea. I am stealing it from Andy Stanley, head pastor of North Point Community Church. Andy also has a podcast called It’s Your Move, which I listen to while I run. I am stealing his idea because well, it’s a great idea and it is resonating with me and where I am at in life right now and well, I have listened to the sermon at least 4 times so I’m thinkin’ it’s time to share it with you.
I hear a lot of people talking about “creating balance” or trying to find more time to do the things that they really want to do. The reality is that you are never going to have more time. There are 24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week, 8760 hours in a year and 8784 hours in a leap year. That’s it, that is all you are given. No one has any more time and no one has any less. The question becomes, what are we doing with all of the time we have been given?
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- Road Race 1981 – Ran with my dad
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- 1/2 marathon 2010 – Ran for Aimee
Coming out of an illness, watching my sweet friend die of said illness and walking with a few other mommas through the wilderness of chemo, changed diagnosis, fear, pain, worry and anxiousness makes one stop to take a look around at how they are spending their time.
This whole notion of numbering your day comes out of Psalm 90:12:
Teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (NIV)
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. (NLT)
I like both versions because numbering your days helps you to realize the brevity or shortness of life. Why do we need to number our days? To gain wisdom.
Reenacting our 1st kiss – just after cancer diagnosis
“Contemplate the brevity of life because in contemplating the brevity of life and the fact that your time here on earth is limited will directly and indirectly impact what you do with your time.” Andy Stanley<
I have been living my life as if my kids will be little forever as if my husband will be by my side forever, and as if my parents will never die. Oh, what I have missed already?! This is where that whole notion of “balance” comes in. There is no balance there is just life. When I was laying on the couch last year I was not doting on my husband or playing games with my kids or making meals from scratch. I was fighting for my life and at times praying for my death. Now that I am not on the couch anymore I want to really live. My calendar became open last year because I had to completely wipe it clean to deal with the task at hand and I am trying to be very intentional about what I let back in.
Hangin’ with my best friend
It’s not necessarily looking at all the areas of life and trying to give them equal attention but rather making sure that while focusing on one area intently for a season that we are not ignoring all the other things or people in life. We are more than just who we are at the office or at home or in the gym, we are all of those things and more. Is there an area or two where you feel like you need to take up a little slack? Something simple like calling your mom or playing a game with your kids or taking a walk and breathing in fresh air.
I want to be wise, I want a life that is full of everything that God has laid out before me, family, friends, work, play, health and relationship with my Creator. Learning how to number my days and be intentional about how I spend my time will provide me with the wisdom that I am seeking in order to live life to the fullest.
What about you? How are you doing at numbering your days?
Stay tuned for next weeks part two of a three-part series for a different perspective on the notion of time…
What a great post Tiffany. As hard as cancer was to overcome, it gives you a fresh perspective and one that you are able to touch others with. You are certainly living an intentional, giving life. One that I aspire and admire. Keep smiling, Keep shining! xoxo!
You my friend are amazing. You have overcome so much already and you have only finished round two! Go Girl! I am your biggest cheerleader!!!♥
Your are coming right out me. For 35 years I chased the clock, worked off an appointment book and ballgame time, horses shows and all the practices that go with. Even though my cancer and treatments the book was my daily guide. Retirement is just hard..harder than I thought. I am wasting a lot of my time. I need to count my time..wisdom. I like it. Thank you.
Your welcome Judy! The cool thing is that we can always make changes. I am changing and adjusting all the time and I am hoping that it’s change for the good. ☺