My Calendar and Checkbook

What if we had to be accountable for every minute of everyday? What if we had to truly account for every penny we spent? Would there be things on both lists that would make us proud? Things that would make us ashamed or embarrassed?

I fill much of my time and spend a lot of my $$$ on my own children, grandchildren, and extended family. As my family has grown, the time and money I spend on each of them has naturally become less. As my children have grown up and left our home, my time and finances have shifted. But I still use them both, mostly, for things I am proud of or so it seems.

My calendar, like my checkbook is full of wonderful activities and money spent wisely. I do Young Life on Monday nights, cook breakfast for middle school girls on Saturday mornings, teach all week and even help my students in homework club after school. My money is spent on those breakfasts and YL camps with kids and even given to the church.

Sounds like I need a good old fashioned pat on the back, right? WRONG! The above list is just the ways I spend my time and money that I want the world to see. The things I use my time and money for that I am not so proud of are not exposed to others. That would show the not so glowing side of me and then what would people think of me?

I could list all my wasteful ways if you wish, but truly the important thing is that I recognize where I am misusing my gifts. Only I can change the hidden expenses of time and money in my life. Thankfully, I never really have to account for every minute or every cent I spend. Or do I?

God has given each of us precious gifts and wants us to use them wisely. Living life fully is living life the right way. Living right does not mean only doing for others. Not at all. Each of us needs to take care to get the rest and nourishment we need. We need to take care to surround ourselves with the support we need to make it through the tough times in life. If we neglect ourselves we will not be healthy enough to use our time and resources for the worthwhile things in life.

Taking a good look at our own time and $$ expenditures can be eye opening. Most of the time we just go through life not examining our actions too closely. I challenge each of you, as well as myself, to take a close look at where we are spending. Don't do it to beat yourself up, but to decide if there are ways you want to redirect your spending. I can already think of several ways I waste my time, energy, and resources.

Ok, so I will give you a peek at a couple of my downfalls. Like, I go to bed late and Facebook, so I never give my body the rest it needs. If I just changed that 1 thing in my life I would be so much better off physically. Next, I eat out way too often. If I made a plan to eat out say only 4 times a week, I would be saving so much money, as well as time. I may not change either of these or the 100s of my other wasteful ways, but at least I need to be honest with myself about my calendar and checkbook.

So you see, this has not been a pat on the back for me, but a wake up call..

In Him,
Joyful
3-21-2010