Words of Wisdom - Part 2

A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! (Psalm 39:1-6 ESV). As we continue looking at “Words of Wisdom” the phrase time is money came to mind. When reading a recent article by Howard Kaminsky and Alexandra Penney they also mentioned a similar phrase: time is honey. The latter of these two is true wisdom. While it does take time to make money, time means so much more to our health and well being than mere financial gain. Time is one of the only unrenewable resources given to us. Once it is spent, it can never be regained. It is truly a treasure. When we learn to use it well, it can be the greatest asset we possess. That is at the heart of David’s advice in today’s psalm. Kaminsky and Penney tell the following story to illustrate this truth: Ginger, who works in an advertising agency, has a very busy schedule and often doesn’t make it home until eight. Her husband, Bruno, owns a restaurant where he’s also the chef. His hours are even longer than Ginger’s, and frequently he comes home when she’s already asleep. Obviously the time they spend together is precious. Early on they figured out that until they both had more time, their free moments would be spent together. They called this time “honey time.” Luckily they both liked to garden and play tennis. But the time they look forward to most is the time they spend reading to each other. Whenever they do that, they turn the phone off. Telemarketers should be shut out of your life when you’re luxuriating in a pool of time that is truly your own. There is such truth to that! Do you have any “honey time”? Or, are you too busy to spend some time outside of your “work.” Here are some suggestions for your honey time: 1. Take a walk with no particular destination in mind. Just get out of your house and walk. 2. Daydream on purpose. Let your mind wander in any direction you like. Don’t direct your thoughts, let them flow freely either to the past or to the future. 3. Fix yourself a special treat. Make something out of the ordinary and sit down to enjoy it without interruption. 4. Read a book that you don’t have to read for work or school. 5. Take the time to write a letter to a friend. It will be a treasure both to you and them. I know it sounds impossible, but you can spend some time doing “nothing.” Even a little will help you learn how valuable time is and thereby spend it more wisely. After all time is honey!