Praying for Time

Yesterday, I wrote about my difficulties when praying for money, for asking for financial help. There is something else I pray for, often: Time. I do not ever seem to have enough time to do the important things in my life. Yet, when I pray for time, a strange thing happens.

If I pray directly for “time to do this or that,” it seems as though my free time is suddenly cut even more tightly. When I finally noticed what was happening, I caught on to God’s methods. If I pray for “more time,” he takes some free time away from me. It’s as though he’s saying, “Ha! You think you are time-challenged now! Wait until you see what else you can do when you have no choice but to do it!” And, of course, I find a way to deal with the new daily routine obligations.

So, I’m now trying to outwit the Almighty. Well, actually, I’m trying to learn how he wants my attitude adjusted. These days, I do not pray for “more time.” I’ve begun praying for the wisdom to know how to use the time I already have! That works very well. It gives me an opportunity instead of a problem.

It also made me re-examine how much time I really have. I wrote down every routine and necessary task I must do each day, and the average amount of time I need to do each thing properly. I placed each into its time slot. When I was done, I was frightened by what I saw. I was not “short on time.” I just was not using my time wisely!

Help me, my Father, to make good use of the time you’ve already given me.