The Gift of Time

 Twenty four hours. That's how much time we get in one day. We all get the same amount of time. Sometimes (perhaps a lot of time!), it doesn't feel like we have that much time in a day. It seems like we blink and we wonder where the time went. I have learned over time to appreciate and cherish the time I have 😊. Each new day I live to see is a new 24 hours to live and make the best of it. I have learned not to take the time I have for granted. I've learned not to take people or any opportunity I'm given for granted. I've learned the importance of making time for God, myself and others. When I start my day with God in the Word and prayer, I navigate my day and time in it much better than when I don't 🙏. Then, throughout my day, I have to make sure I'm talking to God, so he can lead me in the right way. I'm always looking at my days and constantly working on how to make the best use of my time. Distractions do happen, but then I have to get back on track. When I'm at work and in the classroom teaching my students and lesson planning, I have to make the best use of my time. Even now, I'm in the process of figuring out the next 3 weeks before my students take their Reading SOL (Standards of Learning test). I'm praying and using wisdom as I have to teach two more topics, which go hand in hand and review. Now, the good news is that I have been reviewing with students all year through other work (reading comprehension passages, how to navigate different texts, worked through old SOL tests, and sharing test taking strategies). So, I'm constantly reminding myself not to overthink and things will get done as I continue to use my time wisely. I have also learned to be flexible, which is very helpful! We will be just fine 💙. Just like I do my best to manage my time in the classroom, we have to do that in our lives too. I make sure to make time for me and get that fresh air I love by way of walking outside or getting porch time and reading. It could also be reading, listening to music, watching a movie, or sitting in silence. It's important to take time for ourselves and fill our cup 💙. I realize I need to be filled up, so I can pour into others and use my time wisely. Taking time for others could be sending the text or email or making the phone call to check in. Checking in means so much! I called one of my uncles not long ago and at the end of the conversation, he said, "It's so good to hear your voice." I'm grateful I could hear his voice also 💙! You see, this month of April marked 23 years since Daddy's been gone. As I was walking around my yard this past weekend, something hit me! Now, it's something I knew and have thought about a lot, but that day it hit different. My Daddy was only 49 years old when he passed! Only 49...he was young! Now, I knew when he passed he was young and have shared when people ask how old he was, but now that I'm in my 40's, I have a whole new outlook and it really started to hit me how young he was. We have to cherish the time we have with our people and be thankful for the voice or written messages we have. We never know when it will be their last or our last one! So, let's make the best use of our time while we have it. All we can do is do our best, so remind yourself of that as often as you can. I'm doing the same 😊. Let's appreciate the time God has given us and the people we still have. Don't take anything or anyone for granted. Make sure you remain grateful through everything. There is a time for everything, as Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us. We don't know what will happen tomorrow as James 4:14 tells us. Including Psalm 90:12 in our daily prayer is great as it tells us to "teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." When we let this be our daily prayer, we can "be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). Remember to cherish the gift of time and be thankful for the moments you have 💙. Love and blessings to all!