As 2010 comes to an end, I find myself looking back and reflecting on what has been and what is to come. I have never been a believer in New Year's resolutions, but I have made them before in the past. As I grow older, and hopefully wiser, I look for teachable moments for both myself and for my kids. For instance, time management is a lifelong gift that we can give our kids and teach them to take stock on such matters that are relevant and things that do not require our time. Time is a gift from our Creator. Time is something that does not wait on us, but instead, ticks away the seconds, minutes and hours of everyday and every year.
If we our to take up the task to teach our kids the Legacy of Stewardship: Purity, Stewarship & Discipleship; we have to teach our kids the stewardship of time. As my family and I move into 2011 there are some things that we need to take stock of and to see how we can better use our time. The two top priorities in our everyday lives should be family and work. These are necessities that are relevant and require most of our time. Followed by time at church, community and recreation. As we take inventory we are realizing that there are several things that are "wasters" and completely unnecessary for us to spend time on.
So let's take a look at some things for my life (Monday through Friday):
1. Drive to and from work (2 hours) - action plan - pray, listen to books, meditate on things to do for the day and the week.
1b. God time (reading books, Bible reading and meditation - 1 hour) this can also include working on men's ministries and legacy time.
2. Work (9 hours) - action plan - do my job to its fullest, take a pocket notepad and plan things and tasks to complete throughout the day, the week, the month (try to tackle the harder projects first)
3. Family Time (from afternoon to bedtime 3 hours) - this includes book reading, homework, family time, games and or videos (after school), dinner and getting ready for bedtime with prayers and more book reading.
4. Time with Spouse and Task lists (2 hours) - this includes hanging out, tasks (laundry, games, bill paying, finances, spouse time)
5. Workout (1 hour) - this includes both physical and mental time to prepare body, soul and mind to be conditioned (still a major work in progress)
6. Sleep (6 hours - hopefully) - body needs rest
Weekend time to schedule
Family time, which includes life's lessons, games, fun and leisure. Men's Ministries and preparation for teaching and faciliating men's group. Church and Worship time. Friend time and dating my wife time. Small groups and encouraging and serving others.
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All of this things are important stewarship to the gift of time. This is something that my wife and I are not taking lightly. We have been talking and reflecting and taking notes on ways to better steward our time in 2011.
What does the Bible have to say about time management: Read Psalms 39:4-5; Colossians 4:5-6 and 1 Peter 4:2.
What are some ways that you and your family best manage time as good stewards?
-Dante