How Does My Time Reflect My Priorities?

Continued from this post…

As I answered Donna’s questions regarding the use of time, I spent some time carefully considering the last one: Was I giving enough time to the most important tasks, such as studying God’s Word and prayer?  I hope everyone would agree that time spent in God’s Word and in prayer are important.  But, how does that line up with other, perhaps not equally important, but nonetheless urgent tasks that must be accomplished in a given day?  How do (or can) we determine which tasks are “most” important?  And, just how much time is “enough”? 

When identifying our priorities, we tend to rank each area in order of importance.  What usually results is a hierarchal list that looks something like this:  

1. God
2. Husband
3. Children
4. Home
5. Ministry, Career, etc…

But, often the amount of time spent on each area is not directly proportional to the position it occupies on the list.  As a mom with a young child(ren), a home to care for, meals to prepare, and a husband who works full-time, the amount of time given to each area can actually seem quite disproportionate. 

I have worked for a long time to establish a habit of regular, consistent, daily time in the Word and in prayer.  There are some days when I only get 30 minutes with the Lord.  Some days it might be more, some it might be less!  While it certainly is not always what I would like it to be (this is an area that can always use improvement!), it is a consistent part of my daily schedule.  But, does that mean, on those days when the demands of motherhood might require getting up extra-early to comfort a sick child, my relationship with the Lord takes a proverbial “back-seat”?  There are other days when I hardly see Jason, much less spend time talking with him!  Does that make him any less important?  And, just to make things a little bit more confusing, Hannah, technically speaking, would “rank” third on the above list of priorities, yet the majority of my time and attention each day is devoted to her…playing, teaching, training, disciplining.

In Becoming a Woman Who Pleases God, Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock offer a different (and refreshing) perspective on our priorities and roles as Christian women, and the time we devote to each.

“A more practical approach to priorities may be viewing life as a ‘comprehensive unified whole.’  This concept suggests that God has called women to fulfill multiple responsibilities and roles (wife, mother, daughter, homemaker, community servant).  Therefore, she should avoid compartmentalizing her life into the spiritual and secular.  Thus, she avoids measuring the success of maintaining priorities solely by the amount of time given to them on a daily basis…Maintaining priorities means fulfilling all the obligations that God has uniquely and specifically called the Wise Woman to accomplish…” (pg. 131)

When we see our life as a “comprehensive unified whole” we can stop rating our priorities by the amount of time given to each endeavor, and instead see how the practical, daily outworking of our priorities overlap and impact the other areas. 

If God is my “first,” or “top,” priority (and He should be), then that will be reflected, not only in setting aside a dedicated time to spend in the Word and in prayer, but also in how I use my God-given time, energy, and abilities to carry out my responsibilities in other areas throughout the day.  If I am neglecting the roles and responsibilities that He has specifically called me to fulfill, then I am neglecting, and being disobedient to His call on my life…and, in effect saying that He is not a priority.

Is my husband a priority?  He has entrusted the day-to-day care and keeping of our home to me.  Do I honor this trust by making our home a haven for him to return to at the end of the day?  (Looking ahead to his return, and picking up toys, or clutter?)  Do I have a plan for keeping, not just a house, but a home that is tidy, welcoming, and comfortable for family members as well as visitors?  Do I thoughtfully plan for and prepare healthy, and tasty, meals – that are within our budget?

As a mother, the care and training of our children is one of the greatest responsibilities and privileges.  Do I take the time to develop goals and standards for what I want my daughter to know, learn, and be?  And, do I have a plan for effectively reaching those goals?  How will I practically teach and train her up to be a godly woman?  Do I take time to let her know, in practical, tangible ways that I love her?

Because I believe that God has called me to be a wife and mother, the primary focus of my time and energy will be within the realm of my home: my husband, our daughter, and our house.  To rightly accomplish all that I have to do during the day, I must be a wise manager of my time, resources, and energy.  This is in submission to my husband, and ultimately, obedience to God’s call.  But, the question remains, how?  How can I use my time wisely, intentionally, and efficiently each day…in a way that accurately reflects what believe my true priorities to be?

(Stay tuned…more to come!)