Catholic Exchange

What would you do with more time?

We all seem to be suffering from a time shortage. There always seems to be too much to do and not enough time to do it in. So, today I invite you to consider what you would do with more time. Go ahead, make a list. Do you want to spend more time sitting on the floor playing with your children? Do you want to pursue a hobby like gardening, or playing piano, fishing, or golf? Do you want to read a good book or take a walk outside? Do you want to pray more? Whatever it is, write it down. 

Now, find a way to incorporate at least one of those things in your life, even if it is only for 5 minutes at a time. When I first became a mom, I had to accept the reality that if I didn't take advantage of those little spurts of time in my life when the kids were happy, fed and changed, I was never going to get anything done.

I learned to always have reading material available. I have read so much one paragraph or one page at a time. I learned to pray anywhere, anytime. I learned that you can actually pull a few weeds out of a garden in 5 minutes of free time or step outside for a quick breath of fresh air. These little "breaks" in the busyness of life help quiet and nourish the soul. Take advantage of them.

Comments

  1. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Work and pray.  Hmm, didn't some cat in the sixth century write some of that stuff down in a rule and get a bunch of people jazzed up about it? Yeah, it was at Monte Cassino in Italy, I'm certain.

  2. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Patrice–I just thanked Mary for this "On Time" spot—thanks to you too.  Yes, breaking down our day to the minutes available and realizing how much we waste does indeed help use our time more wisely.  I had been wanting to add daily Mass attendance to my life for a long time…..just prior to Advent this year I began to consider all the reasons why I was not getting to Mass every day.  I broke it down to 20 minutes.  That was it, 20 minutes was keeping me from getting to daily Mass.    I made a couple extra Masses per week during Advent and now the three little ones and I are attending daily.  Yes, the 20 minutes means getting six kids up and fed and out the door 20 minutes earlier than normal and tweaking the overall comfortable routine….

     

    Just think, 20 minutes was keeping me from the Source and Summit!!!

    I am praying that this new routine will become not only comfortable but something that feeds us so well that we could not imagine changing it! 

    Beth

  3. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    It's worth considering that, should I miss Mass, Jesus is still there in the tabernacle.  I can just stop by to check in and sit for a few minutes to say hello, to praise Him for Who He is, and thank Him for what He has done. I know He doesn't need it, but I do.

    Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta said everyone needs a half hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament every single day — unless they are really busy.  Then they need an hour.

    Just do it!

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