Busy, busy, busy.
If people had three words to describe me, they would likely choose those three. For years I’ve been buzzing through life at lightning speed, taking care of every project that came my way.
Books. Baking. Theater. Ministry. Teaching. Conferences.
You name it, I was busy doing it.
Maybe you can relate. Maybe you’re busy, too. Hey, let’s face it, a lot of the things on our to-do lists are important. Most of us have mortgages to pay, so we can’t exactly stop working, now can we?
That said, life does tend to get a little out of balance sometimes, doesn’t it?
The Hands of Time Keep Moving. . .
If someone were to ask you, “How do you spend your time?” how would you answer?
Pause for a moment to think that through. No doubt you would list a great many things:
- Job
- Housekeeping
- Cooking
- Laundry
- Bill-paying
- Grocery shopping
- School
- Hobbies
- Shuttling the kids to ball practice or other sports
- Television
- Countless other obligations, obligations, obligations
Somewhere, way down the list, you might start naming the people you spend time with. Or, perhaps the ones you wish you had time to spend with.
Where do People Fall on Your Schedule?
Recently I had to ask myself that question. Honestly. Because I’m so crazy-busy all the time I’m often around people, but not really “with” them, if that makes sense.
Maybe you can relate.
I’m now making a conscious effort to free up time in my busy schedule for many of the people I’ve overlooked in my busyness.
- The friend going through emotional turmoil.
- The one who feels alone.
- The family member you rarely get to see.
- The grandkids who miss you.
- The loved one dealing with physical pain.
- The friend who needs a shoulder to cry on.
- That other friend who just wants to do lunch.
- The family member who wants to share his or her latest victories with you.
They’re all still there. . .waiting.
Today’s the perfect day to make time for the ones you love most. And remember, no matter how busy you might be. . .it’s the people who matter most, not the project.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 NLT