Ever notice how life flies by? The older you get, the more quickly the days go by. The next thing you know, years have passed. Time is one of the most precious and limited commodities we have in life.As a couple, it is important to plan and manage your time. In Ephesians 5:15-16, the Bible warns “be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” Learning time management ensures that you will do just that. There is no guarantee of tomorrow, so make the most of today.
Prioritize
Life is demanding. There are a multitude of things vying for our attention and time, and it can often leave us over-extended and giving less than our best to the things and ones most important to us. Taking into consideration what is most important to each of you, make a list of your top five priorities that are non-negotiable with respect to time. These are the five things that must come first in your life, everything else is secondary. Place it on your refrigerator as a reminder for when life gets a little too hectic. Ephesians 5:17 says “Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” Live with purpose—prioritize.
Schedule
“Fail to plan and plan to fail.” It is inevitable that with everything life throws our way, organization is a must if we want to keep track of time spent. The best proof of a priority is the time you allot for it. Grab a calendar, sit down, and make a schedule for you and your spouse. Obviously you will want to schedule in your top priorities first – time with your spouse, spiritual growth, church involvement, community outreach, etc. Be detailed about this. People often say “in a month,” “after I finish this project,” “once we accomplish this,” then I will have time. The truth is that there is never a “good time” for things; there is always going to be something else demanding your time. If you want something or someone to get your time, then you simply must make the time. Blocking off specific days and times for your top priorities will guarantee they are getting the attention and devotion they need.
Date Nights
Oftentimes the first thing that goes out the window for couples when they get married is making time for one another. Remember that the time you spent with each other is what caused you to fall in love, so cutting that out of the equation could mean a flickering flame over time. Quality time together is absolutely essential to a successful relationship. It is the very thing that builds the friendship between the two of you while making room for growth, discovery, and the ability to monitor how your relationship is doing. Part of your prioritizing and scheduling should be to set aside specific days and times where you and your spouse can experience that growth and discovery. Make sure to allow for date nights as well as non-activity moments where you can really focus on meaningful conversations. Just like when you were dating, delight in time spent with your spouse learning about, enjoying, and making memories with him/her.
Personal Time
Just as God is in relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we are designed to be in relationship. Part of that entails setting aside moments where we can grow and develop with a good support system. Having friendships with quality individuals who can encourage you, your marriage, and your walk with God, is important and uplifting. Proverbs 27:9 says “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” It is also vital to have time to pursue your own interests and hobbies. The cultivation of friendships and personal interests brings growth to your marriage as well as to yourself.
Relax
Just reading the word “relax” might make you laugh sarcastically. “There isn’t enough time for the things that need to get done, let alone to relax.” I understand completely, but we are designed to rest. We are made in the image of God, and He informs us that His intention was for us to “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work.” (Exodus 20:8,9) Taking time to relax allows you to rejuvenate and ultimately be more productive when that work week comes back around.
Time management is essential to keeping the people and things most important to you in the forefront of your mind. Keep what is dear to you near to you. When we intentionally schedule out times for them, we are less likely to be neglectful.
