Use Time Wisely

Uses Time Wisely?

When I attended public school, not only did students receive evaluation on schoolwork, we were also graded on such things as, “Respects authority,” “Gets Work Done in a Timely Manner,” and “Uses Time Wisely.” Now, let us start with the semi-laughable. How is a teacher of thirty students supposed to give an objective, systematized response to each of these questions? Obviously, positive marks were given to the compliant kids who did exactly what they were told, and the free spirits were punished. It was totally arbitrary with no social scientific tools to aid in evaluation, only personal bias. Looking back now, it is grievous because some students and parents actually took these totally socially constructed marks to heart, some of which were unduly inflated while others were unfairly deflated.

The fact that the public school system felt they had the right to tell anyone how to use time wisely is oxymoronic. This system makes bright students slow down in order to wait for some students who could care less about being there. Additionally, struggling students had to rush ahead without getting the necessary concepts down, so they could try and keep up with those who were more naturally gifted in a certain subject matter. We could also talk about the time spent going from class to class, settling students down, taking attendance, grading papers, etc. When we talk about using time wisely, it was the blind leading the blind!

The one thing public school taught me about time was how not to handle it wisely. How so? First, I never had to make my own schedule. I was told where to go and when to go there. There was no room for autonomy. Second, outside of one term paper that I wrote in an afternoon, I didn’t have to break down any projects into months or weeks; therefore, there were no time management skills taught or acquired. Third, I had very little choice on what subject matter I could take. Outside of a few electives—very few—I had to follow the typical subjects available. Fourth, if I found something that really interested me, I had to leave it behind in a few days because the schedule demanded it, like it or not. Fifth, I was never challenged to do anything productive with any extra time I had left over. I usually just conversed with the person in the desk next to me about nothing.

When I taught public school, I tried to give my students some choices in both subject matter and timing. Most really struggled with the concept. Why? They were never allowed to make their own choices in the previous ten years at school. They had little to no understanding of the most precious resource under man’s governance … time.

You probably have heard of the “Freshmen Fifteen.” Many college freshmen put on 15 pounds or so because Daddy or Mommy isn’t there to tell them what and when to eat. The “Sophomore Slump” sees students quitting school due to a lack of motivation or because they had never been trained to set a schedule via a four month syllabus. This led to last-minute work that produced poor marks, academic probation, and, ultimately, expulsion.

Sadly, some of these individuals go on into life ill equipped to make wise use of their time. They struggle to meet deadlines at work or have trouble getting projects done at home. It seems they are always working hard just to stay behind.

Once again, this is where homeschooling can shine. As parents who are with our children 24/7, we can help the child who takes twenty minutes doing a five-minute job. We can address the procrastinator, so he sees his tendency. We can help our child take a three-month assignment and break it down into chewable, daily bites. These types of real-life lessons will propel our children into their future.

This month we are going to pray that God will give us grace to use our time well as parents. We are also going to ask that He will enable us to teach our children how to manage their time. Remember, it is these “little things” that change our children’s destinies. Join us on the second Tuesday of the month as we pray for the following:

1. Pray that we will understand that sometimes going slower is, in fact, going faster in the long run.

• For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. –Hab. 2:3
• Let my lord pass on ahead of his servant, and I will lead on slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.” –Gen. 33:14

2. Pray that in setting our schedules, we will do what is best for our family and not succumb to jumping through everyone else’s hoops.

• The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; –Ps. 37:23
• in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? –Psalms 56:11

3. Pray that God will help us discern between material needs and personal wants, so we will spend our time in the right places.

• Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. –Matt. 6:31,32
• Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. –Proverbs 23:4

4. Pray that we will know when to say, “Yes,” (and we should at times) as well as knowing when to say, “No,” (and we should at times) to various opportunities.

• Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. –Romans 12:2

5. Pray that we will find the right balance between work and recreatioin.

• The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. –Gen. 2:15
• “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed. –Ex. 23:12

6. Pray that we will know where to systematize and where we need creativity and spontaneity.

• Numbers 4 talks about the system in which they were to move the tent of meeting, so they did not have to talk about it each time the cloud or fire moved.
• Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. ³⁷ But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. –Exodus 40:36,37

7. Pray that we won’t let the time wasters of this world (excessive social media, phone time, video clips, internet surfing, extra activities) rob us of quality or quantity of time with our children.

• “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” –Matt. 7:6
• making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. –Eph. 5:16

8. Pray that we will grow in our understanding that time is the most precious commodity and that we will give an account of how we steward it, especially in our calling as parents. (Sins of omission versus sins of commission)

• And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ –Luke 19:17
• They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. –1 Peter 4:5
• So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. –James 4:17

9. Pray that God will bless any secondary endeavors so we will have more time and focus in discipling our families and the nations as well as serving in our local church.

• The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore. –Psalms 121:7,8
• For what you had before I came was little, and it has increased to a great amount; the Lord has blessed you since my coming. And now, when shall I also provide for my own house?” –Gen. 30:30

10. Pray that each household and each person in that household finds the pace of life that works best for them, collectively and individually.

• I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. –Psalms 139:14
• And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. –Phil. 4:7