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Make Up for Lost Time

Make Up for Lost Time

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Make Up for Lost Time--grandfather clockMost of us have had to make up for lost time. We plan to complete tasks. Yet, other events interfere with those plans.

To make up for lost time means to spend time doing what we should have done earlier.

Because of our delay, we have to work quicker or longer to get the job done. For example, we:

  • Leave late and drive faster to arrive on time. (I don’t recommend this.)
  • Fail to complete a work assignment and have to work harder later.

We occasionally make up for lost time in our relationships.

  • After years apart or with little time together, we focus on one another.
  • When illness prevents favorite activities, we spend extra time on them after we heal.

Too often, we waste time.

That looks different for each of us. We dillydally when we:

  • Delay a task we don’t want to perform
  • Sleep late
  • Spend excess time on fun but useless activities

 We also make up for lost time through no fault of our own.

We simply have more to do than we can do.

  • Emergencies occur.
  • We complete the work other people failed to do.
  • Unexpected requests or assignments arise.

God gives each of us twenty-four hours a day.

Will we:

  • Use it wisely?
  • Keep our priorities in order?
  • Do our best?

As John Wooden said, “If you don’t have time to do it right, when are you going to have the time to do it over?”

“I trust in you, Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands.” —Psalm 31:14-15

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion and to Beverly Ennis for the photo.

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A Watched Pot Never Boils

A Watched Pot Never Boils

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A Watched Pot Never Boils--two pots over a fire pitI am not the world’s best cook. However, I do know how to boil water. I have also learned a watched pot never boils. Oh, it eventually boils if I watch it, but it seems to take forever.

I wait. And I wait. And I wait.

When I focus on anything I want done quickly, time drags.

A watched pot never boils means impatient waiting makes the wait feel longer.

Time slows down. This happens when I wait for a:

  • Computer screen to refresh
  • Favorite meal to cook
  • Special visitor to arrive
  • Repair to complete

Checking every few minutes only makes my impatience worse. Wanting something done immediately if not sooner does not make it happen any faster.

A focus on other concerns helps relieve anxious waiting.

If I stay busy as a bee, I don’t have time to wring my hands while I wait. When I ignore the pot, it surprises me how quickly it boils.

Patience works better than a watched pot.

Allow the proper amount of time, and any project or activity improves. So does my mood.

A few good reminders:

  • Slow down.
  • Don’t rush.
  • Take it easy.
  • Enjoy the moment.

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains” (James 5:7 NIV).

Thanks to Pat Childress Conner Stapp for the suggestion.

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Spread Too Thin

Spread Too Thin

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Spread Too Thin--small amount of peanut butter on a slice of breadDo you ever find yourself spread too thin? Like too little peanut butter on a piece of bread, you cannot cover all you need to do.

You have too many irons in the fire and meet yourself coming and going. Your to-do list keeps growing. If you finish one task, two more take its place.

Spread too thin means you have too much to do and too little time to do it.

You have so many activities, you cannot keep up. You run short on:

  • Time
  • Energy
  • Resources

You feel overwhelmed and can do none of your tasks well.

When spread too thin, allow others to help you.

Extra hands make the work go faster. They also encourage you to keep on keeping on.

 Take breaks.

That sounds crazy, but it helps. A few minutes, hours, or days to relax does wonders.

If your stress level soars, time away helps:

  • Emotionally – Life looks better and hope returns.
  • Physically – Energy levels increase.
  • Mentally – Your mind clears, and you think better.
  • Spiritually – Rest and prayer restores.

Do what you can. Get help. Take breaks.

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint” (Jeremiah 31:24 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Knowles for the suggestion.

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In a Jiffy

In a Jiffy

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In a Jiffy-Busy Vancouver, Gas Town street“Stay right there. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” I wonder how many parents have said that to a child. Or how many spouses have said that to one another. They don’t want the person to move. They will return quickly

In a jiffy means in a short amount of time.

 Closely related to immediately, if not sooner, in a jiffy can refer to:

  • The speed of a person’s work (“I will finish this in a jiffy.”)
  • How long a person will be gone (“I will return in a jiffy.”)
  • The promise of good service (“Your waiter will be with you in a jiffy.)
  • No delay of any kind

In today’s world of instant gratification, people expect almost everything in a jiffy.

No one wants to wait. Patience remains in short supply.

However, much in life is better with time.

  • Fresh fruit and vegetables need time to ripen.
  • People need time to learn.
  • Research requires time for accuracy.

In these and other instances, haste makes waste.

Speed is often necessary. However, rather than rush, people usually do well to take one step at a time.

“If we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” (Romans 8:25 NIV).

Thanks to Liz Gray for the suggestion.

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Beyond the Call of Duty

Beyond the Call of Duty

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Beyond the Call of Duty--flag flyingA person who goes beyond the call of duty does more than required.

They do their job plus more. This expression is often used for:

  • Soldiers
  • Firefighters
  • Police officers

Those jobs are dangerous. To go beyond the call of duty makes them more dangerous.

People who chose such work put themselves at risk for the sake of others. Yet, many people accept that risk every day.

Anyone can go beyond the call of duty.

  • Teachers
  • Factory workers
  • Restaurant workers
  • Anyone

To go beyond the call of duty costs something.

  • Time
  • Money
  • Health
  • Life

July 4, Independence Day, celebrates the birth of the United States.

That birth came at great cost. Many, who did more than they had to do, lost their lives.

Never forget the price paid for the freedom so many enjoy.

Thank a veteran or a soldier who continues to make that freedom possible.

 “You’ve gone far beyond the call of duty in taking care of us; what can we do for you?” (2 Kings 4:13 MSG).

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Give of Ourselves

Give of Ourselves

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Give of Ourselves--child in Christmas boxOften the greatest gift we can give is ourselves.

To give of ourselves, we:

  • Give time
  • Show concern
  • Help others

During Christmas, we wrap gifts with paper and bows.

We buy:

  • Toys and games
  • Clothing
  • Books
  • Gift cards
  • Tools
  • Jewelry
  • Household items

We think we must:

  • Bake and make crafts
  • Shop until we drop
  • Attend parties and special events.

Yet, too often, we forget what matters most.

We get so busy giving things, we forget to give of ourselves. We

  • Neglect family
  • Have no time for friends
  • Do less than our best at work

What happened?

Isn’t the gift of self what Christmas is all about?

Jesus came as a baby to give Himself to the world. He died on the cross for the sins of the world. He offers the gift of eternal life to everyone. However, each person must choose to accept this greatest gift.

“I pray that as you share your faith with others it will grip their lives too, as they see the wealth of good things in you that come from Christ Jesus” (Philemon 6 TLB).

What is the greatest gift you ever received? Please comment.

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Thanks to Ashley Claunch and Megan Wollmann for the photo.

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

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A Stitch in Time 2I watched my Granny Childress sew many times. Sometimes she used a sewing machine like this one. Sometimes she sewed by hand. Either way, she knew a stitch in time saves nine. In other words, a little work now prevents a lot of work later.

  • Sewing a small rip in clothing now prevents a large rip later.
  • Stopping a little leak now prevents a big water bill later.
  • Replacing old brakes now prevents a car wreck later.

If we let things slide now, we suffer later. That’s true with clothing, houses, and cars. It’s also true in relationships. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

When we can, let’s stop problems now, so they will not get worse later.

“A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks and suffers the consequences” (Proverbs 27:12 TLB).

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