05 February 2013

Taking back time

We are only given 60 minutes in each hour
24 hours in each day
7 days in each week
and minutes tick on
and hours flash past
days and weeks hurry on
and it feels like life just slips away...

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is.You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. Psalm 39:4-5 NLT

The beginning of a new year is useful as a time to reflect and pray and plan, a time to put aside bad habits replacing them with something better.  I pondered ways I could take back fleeting time and decided to take a break from playing computer games.

This should have been easy, but habits grow deep.  It felt like my fingers wanted to press keyboard keys, and without a tight reign on my hands I would have clicked to open game boards without even thinking.

It has been more than a month.  I have more time to read, more time to write, more time for real connection with the people God places in my path.  I can't say I don't miss the games, or that I won't ever return to a bit of play now and then, but I am rejoicing that I have moved beyond the automatic, mindlessness of habitual play.

I can't add a minute to the time God has portioned for me, but I can choose to use what He has given in ways that best bring glory to His name.


linking up with Peter today as we talk about habits

 

4 comments:

Nancy Hamilton Sturm said...

As a retiree, I too have been convicted of ways I often waste my time. I haven't gotten bold enough to totally quit computer games, but I have reserved them for "break" times when I need to rest my body. Thanks for the wonderful reminder about how we spend our time.
Nancy
http://lookingattheson.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

It's so easy to get into whatever gives us pleasure. I tend to get sucked into Facebook and Twitter and before I know it big chunks of time are gone. But if I reduce my time spent on them I'll have more time for other useful projects that give the same or even more pleasure.

a joyful noise said...

I find those computer games help keep my mind active, but alas, I do spend too much time playing them. Habits are difficult to break, but setting limits as to time does help.

caryjo said...

I'm get too easily side-tracked by reading too much on FB, too many blogs, too many small games... too much that keeps me from focusing on the Lord. I LOVE so many of my dear blog friends, including you, and want to stay in touch, but have got to get back to doing it only a couple hours a day instead of MOST of the day. I so want to finish my God-jobs. He DOES lead me to go out and about fairly often, serving Him and helping others, but every day I begin to get side-tracked again.

You are a good sharer, as usual. Thank you.