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December 10, 2015

Biding My Time

13 Comments/ 3252/ 0

There are a lot of quotable quotes and references to time in my Bartlett’s Famous Quotations book Some of them are amusing, some are challenging and some just don’t make any sense to me at all.  Consider these samplings:

“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time; for that’s the stuff life is made of.” Benjamin Franklin

“I wasted time, and now doth time waste me;

For now hath time made me his numbering clock:

My thoughts are minutes.”

Shakespeare: King Richard II

“Live all you can: it’s a mistake not to. It doesn’t so much matter what you do in particular, so long as you have your life. If you haven’t had that what have you had? …What one loses one loses; make no mistake about that…..The right time is any time that one is still so lucky as to have…..Live!

Henry James in The Ambassadors (1903)

So why all these references to time? What does it say to us? Many times it just seems that we don’t have enough time at all to do everything that we want to accomplish. For many folks, especially for the elderly, time is all that they have and too much of it as they are not as active as they once were. On one hand there aren’t enough hours in the day and then on the other hand the days drag on for some. Why can’t we hit the happy medium?

One thing that has been a stumbling block for me has been trying to determine what is my timing on things and what is actually God’s timing. I get impatient and think that things need to happen in my timeframe and on my schedule when in actuality it really is not always up to me. Sometimes God has a totally different timeframe in mind and I ignore it. What I am learning is that I need to exercise some of that patience that I talk to my children about and accept that sometimes God’s timing is what I need to be seeking. It all boils down sometimes to the idea that I think that I am wasting time waiting on things —but perhaps in the bigger scheme of things the time I think I am wasting is time well spent because it might be preparing me for something bigger to come.

So I am learning to be patient, to not get all riled up when things don’t seem to go in my preconceived time frame, and to let go and let God determine the timing of things happening in my life. I am living each day to the fullest and challenge you to do the same and take advantage of the time that you may have thought was being wasted but allowing that to be a time to reflect and pray. It seems to be working for me so I hope that it may work for you also.

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13 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. McGuffy Ann
    December 10, 2015 at 06:31 am

    Excellent thoughts on Time, our friend and foe. I could relate to much of this. Time is always something that both holds me back, yet moves me along. I did a musing on Time awhile back. I still reflect on it.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 10, 2015 at 07:07 am

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting and leaving your wisdom. I need to go look up that post by you to ready your take on it as well. It is our friend and foe without a doubt.

      Reply
  2. treadlemusic
    December 10, 2015 at 07:19 am

    For those who are in the “time drags” category, many are waiting for time to act on them. Using the “waiting” as an excuse for inactivity, as they sit and watch others’ lives play out. Even for those who are experiencing physical challenges, sitting back and waiting (for what?) is a death knell to a vibrant life (avoiding the notion that if you aren’t contributing to society your “value” plunges to a very low level, according to current societal thinkings). On the other hand, one who seems to be running on a “life treadmill” is not necessarily living a fulfilled life but, rather/possibly, is seeking to fill that (God-shaped) hole in their heart with activity which leads only to frustration & emptiness. “Be still and know that I am God”. Fill your heart with Him and your days will have a meaning and direction beyond wildest dreams.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 10, 2015 at 07:24 am

      I just watched a video by Gungor called O Light which filled my heart without a doubt. Look it up. It will bless you I think.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcZGS8sfEFk

      Reply
    2. Minnesota Prairie Roots
      December 10, 2015 at 09:51 am

      “Be still and know that I am God.” That verse has spoken to me often lately. Peace washes over me when I read, “Be still.” There’s such assurance and hope in those words that direct us to trust in God and His timing.

      Reply
  3. Mama's Empty Nest
    December 10, 2015 at 07:44 am

    Oh, patience….it has never been one of my outstanding virtues. But over the years, God has taught me many lessons in waiting on His timing. Waiting on Him doesn’t necessarily mean you’re inactive, it just means you realize He is sovereign and in control, not you. It reminds me of a song from the movie Fireproof: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gjXBMC8-oM

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 10, 2015 at 07:47 am

      Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I am going to go watch that song video right now. You have reaffirmed what I know to be true.

      Reply
  4. Marci B
    December 10, 2015 at 08:30 am

    Great post, Beth Ann. Thank you. I’m going to read this one to Chris (my Chris) when he comes home……. xxx

    Reply
  5. Laura Weers
    December 10, 2015 at 10:32 am

    Excellent blog. Everyone of us can relate to this. Time is a precious gift from God.

    Reply
  6. Katy Flint
    December 10, 2015 at 10:46 am

    Oh yes!! Patience, waiting, and following God’s timing is the biggest struggle of them all I think!

    Reply
  7. Robin
    December 10, 2015 at 11:58 am

    Thank you for the encouraging post! It was for such a time as this for me. The struggle is real and worth it.

    Reply
  8. josh
    December 10, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    Well said! er, ah written. Well written!

    Reply
  9. Darlene
    December 11, 2015 at 06:28 pm

    This past year I have really learned to be more patient. In Spain, not much goes as planned and nothing ever gets done quickly. Both of us have had to do an attitude adjustment and just go with the flow. The internet was down and it took 3 days to get it fixed. I surprised myself at not losing it!

    Reply

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