We Measure What We Value

Think of one thing that you measure because you value it. It's true, you know, we measure that which we value. Some things are harder to measure than others. Moses asked Father God to teach the people to "number their days." That's Psalm 90:12. He asked that so that they could present a "heart of wisdom." I thought about my life and what my values were. What do I measure?

Time is measured by the clock but do I make it count? I couldn't resist that pun. Since we are on a thoughtful topic, can we just do a little elementary math? Okay, here is what we all have:

24 hrs. of which an average of 8 hrs is slept away in la-la land.

16  --four sets of four-- waking hours left to do something with?
1.5 hours average bathroom time per day (hygiene, primping, squatting,bathing)
1    hour eating (actually chewing and swallowing a plate before you)
.5 hours waking up from sleep, planning, or reading your Bible?

Twelve shows up in an awesome way and it appears that we have roughly 12 hours to govern how we spend today. Read all about how twelve is the "perfect number" here: Twelve in the Bible and Its Meaning

So HOW do we get our values into those hours? Can I first just paint a background thought?

 Jesus said to live in the Today and let tomorrow take care of itself in Matthew 6. He also said not to worry about the laundry and what you will eat and drink and gave Martha (workhorse) a loving scold that she was "worried about so many things when only a few are nescessary--really only one. This sounds like a fairytale to mothers, but if we were not so worldy, perhaps this type of freedom is possible. What do I mean? Someone told me fruit was the original fast food. See it? Okay for those of you that do not read my mind, we eat unhealthy because we do not have time to eat properly and/or we do not have the money for the snob appeal of organic sections in the store. God made ready to eat food that is actually REAL food. What a bargain for a time saver and high quality food--an apple.

First we have to find out what we value, or even better--what God values and build a day that worships Him so that we are not standing in church on Sunday only thinking that is a life of worship (because we sang to Him in church). I am of the opinion that the singing is the celebrating of all that was done for, with, and through Him all the week long.

Twelve hours can be three sets of four or four sets of three. 4X3=12  3X4=12  2X6=12 6X2=12
Two sets of six  or 6 sets of two. Your calendar could be a combination of it all--not just one form.

I see calendars with morning, afternoon, evening, and night time chunks of three highlighted in an attempt to get me to fill them out all nice and easy like measuring flour in a cup. Hmmm...
You can only get involved with an event on your calendar as long as you have the three of four hours to accomplish that. It depends on how busy you are and how your values are placed. The thing I learn from that is not to plan too much all at once in a chunk of time OR know my goals and values BEFORE I attempt to manage something as abstract and hard to handle as time.

My favorite professional organizer in this world is Julie Morgenstern and she is the one that helped me "see" time like the clutter in a closet. You only have so much available space to stick things/appts. events. Too many things in the small space does not work! She helps you to identify your values, needs, and goals so that your life isn't, well, spoiled by little foxes that ruin the vine.

Before I provide a handy link to her book, I would like to add one other thought. We are to put God first and He likes ten percent I am guessing. What is ten percent of your 12? It works out to one hour and 12 minutes! He multiplies our efforts when we glorify Him. You want your efforts multiplied--so invest in time with Him!  One of Julie's many Living Books!

P.S. I was not asked not compensated for referring you to her--it is an honor to do it.