Choose wisely. It’s always good advice.
“We buy books, thinking we buy the time to read them.” Wise words from a friend have stayed with me. The truth is evident. Years ago I began collecting books. My collection of books has since surpassed my ability to read them in whatever time I have left in this life. But that hasn’t kept me from purchasing more. The list of books I want to read just keeps growing. This in addition to all the books I’d like to re-read.
As I thought about my friend’s comment, I saw its application to so many things. The list of things bought that remain unused may include materials for projects that never get done, clothes that never get worn, or food that spoils before it can be consumed. No matter how good the price, the money is wasted if it is for something we never really use.
Multitudes of basements and garages are filled with things that were purchased, on purpose, but then end up pushed aside and forgotten. Some people even pay for storage units to house all the stuff they are not using. In many respects, we are hoarders of the unnecessary. If we would choose to get rid of the junk and clutter, we would have more room in our lives for the things that are important.
Think about our schedules. We only have a certain number of days on earth, and we don’t know how many days that is. The key is to sort out what is important and what is not. Abandoning the things that have no value gives us more time to enjoy the things that do. Choose wisely.
Not all books are equally good. A few shelves of really good books we enjoy are better than a library full of unread volumes. However, to find the good ones we may have to start reading some that are not. As I continue my efforts to read through the books I have acquired, I have learned that some are not worth my time. I lay them aside as I keep looking for the gems. I have become more selective in my purchases. I can’t read every book–I have to choose.
I am learning to do the same with my time. God has put each of us on earth for His purposes. We may have to try a few things to be able to discern where He wants us to spend our hours and energy. Sometimes we have to start a few projects in order to know where our talent and interests lie. Once we do, it is okay to say, “No,” to people who want to determine our schedules according to their agendas. When we find what God has designed us to do, we find a rewarding and enriching life comes with it. We just need to learn to discard the unimportant things. Even “good” things can crowd out what is best.
Another friend, my college roommate, advises, “If you are going to have dessert, have a good dessert. Don’t waste the calories on anything else.”
Time is short. We have limited time, limited capacities, limited energy. We are wise to be selective with how we fill our days and our lives.
We can’t do it all. Choose wisely.
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NLT
How has God helped you sort out what is important? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
Copyright 2024 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by Amy from Pixabay
This is insightful and thought provoking. Thanks for highlighting the common thought process we all have experienced (and still do)… taking that first step of acquisition of stuff feels like progress in some way, only to be replaced with anguish as we juggle demands for our time. Well done.
Thank you, Danny. It’s a process to learn how to manage what God has entrusted to us. Thanks for reading.
In your blog Choose Wisely one line particularly resonated with me because I find I am presently involved in selecting a meaningful project. Over the last considerable weeks I have had the urge to be creative by using my hands. My current caretaking duties for my elderly step- mother has afforded me with lots of time to be at home. The hours have allowed me to establish regular Bible study, prayer time, and opportunities to send encouraging texts to my love ones. I still have times of restlessness. I found groups on Facebook where members share personal projects involving paper creations, various needleworks including embroidery, appliqué, beadwork, and even basket making out of cords. I tried my hand at a few of these, enjoyed the process, and finally settled on an embroidery project where I am going to record significant events, interests, sorrows , and joys with hoop , cloth, and threads over the 75 years of my life. I will reflect these using a 15 inch hoop dividing my reflections of my life in 7 decades. I am hoping my children will enjoy the finished project!
I’m sure your children will be blessed by your project when it is finished. Thanks for reading.
When we sold our home last year I realized how many years of stuff that no longer had any value to me I had accumulated. Sorting out what I truly still cherished was an eye opener.
I began to start thinking about the people and things that really mattered and began to make changes.
Whatever time God chooses to give me will be spent Decluttering my life.
Enjoyed reading Choose Wisely Phyllis.
Thank you, Suzanne, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading.
This struck home as I thought about all the things I’ve accumulated and don’t need
and what and who’s important for the time I have left on this earth.
Wise words from your heart to mine. Thank you for reminding me to CHOOSE WISELY!
Thank you, Kathie. I was reminding myself too. Thanks for stopping by my site.
Thank you for this great reminder that our purpose on this earth is God Given, with limited time to achieve what God has placed us on this earth to do for Him and His purpose, we need to ensure that we are spending our time wisely as it is often so easy to get pulled in a direction apart from what God wants, due to our own selfish priorities! “Learning to discard the unimportant things”
Thank you, Paul.
Phyllis,
Thank you for addressing both time and “stuff” in your writing. I have been trying to hone in on the time issue for a few years now, out of necessity. It makes some folks unhappy when I choose to say “No”, but it really is a matter of survival. We humans are not made to go, run, do 24 hours a day. We need some rest in addition to our Sabbath, and even that one is sometimes difficult to grab in today’s world. As I was reminded in Bible study this morning, not taking the time to worship God is a form of idolatry of whatever took place of that worship.
Amen. Thanks Nora
It is all very good advice.
Thank you, George.