On redeeming your limited time

We heard from Keri Folmar a few weeks ago as part of our interview series.

Keri answered our interview questions about how she personally makes effective use of her limited time.

We wanted to write a separate post with her answers to highlight the intentionality and passion of this sister’s example as she follows Christ.

How do you make time to read God’s word and pray?

After I get my children off to school, I make myself a cup of coffee, go to my rocking chair and grab my Bible. I resist the temptation to check emails or make phone calls, and often don’t even take a shower before I sit down with God’s word. I try to use the Scriptures I’m reading as a foundation for my prayers.

When my children were small and when I was homeschooling, I would try to read just a few verses in the morning or catch a time later in the day. When I was doing something mindless, like folding clothes, I would try to think about those verses and pray for people and myself based on them.

What single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your effective use of time?

Keep in mind your callings. God calls us to love Him first (Matt 22:37), then our husbands and children (Titus 2:4), and the church (1 John 4:11), and the world (Matt28:19). Sometimes the lines are fuzzy. Sometimes the urgency in one area trumps the other, but if we keep these priorities in mind, we will use our time wisely. (Often we can use the same time to serve more than one priority. For example, having unbelieving neighbors over for dinner serves your husband, teaches your children the priority of the gospel and gives you and your family the opportunity to share the gospel with your neighbors. If you invite a family from church along also, you’ve just used your time to advance all God’s priorities for your life and glorify him.)