So Much To Do, So Little Time

So many things fill an average day around here. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, changing diapers, training toddlers, tickling, reading, exercising, laughing with my husband, studying my Bible, sleeping. And there are so many other things to do too! Hello, Pinterest? Even without all the extra ideas on Pinterest I have plenty of interests. I would love to read more, take up drawing again, learn to sew, write more. None of these things are bad in themselves but I can't do them all. I have 24 hours every day and some of it must be spent sleeping. (Think of all I could do without sleep! Actually I'd probably waste most of it; like I did before I had kids.)

Some things are no-brainers. I exercise because this is the only body I have. I need to take care of it. Not to mention I feel so much better when I exercise. I cook because we must eat. My children are only little once; I need to spend time training and playing. God charged me with keeping this house so I clean and do the laundry and make it homey and beautiful.

But how should I decide what to do with what little extra time I have? Recently I have practiced asking myself these three questions.
1. What eternal value does the activity have?
2. Is this activity part of the work God has given me?
3. Will it benefit my family or someone else as well as myself?

It will matter if I teach my kids the Bible. So I am working on a Scripture book for the boys. It will matter if I'm growing as a Christian so I pick books to read carefully. My marriage is part of my Biblical responsibilities so it's important that I develop that relationship. It won't really matter if I draw right now. Drawing doesn't have eternal value, is not part of the work God has given me now (unless I can use it to decorate), and doesn't really benefit anyone else (unless I sold it. But it's not that good.). Drawing is not wrong. It is actually good; but it's not a priority now, today.  Not to say that I never do any artwork; I've found a few things I'd like to do for Christmas decorations. I just don't stress about not doing it if I don't have time. 

Only so many things can fit into my daily routine. I must choose carefully the activities that fill my time. Ephesians 5:16 tells me to redeem the time. May my time management honor God and make the most of what He has given me.