Back in our history, when towns were small, people gathered around the General Store. It would be the place where you came to get most of your homegoods that you didn't raise or make yourself. Cloth was bought to make clothes, lanterns were bought to light their homes, and your basic food supplies like flour and coffee were purchased here. Men would gather and catch up on the news that was happening around the country. Travel happened in wagons and horses and long distance travel took place on stagecoach and then trains.Life was lived at a slightly slower pace. Most homesteads had large crops and animals to take care of so their days started early and were very busy. Trips into town weren't done on a daily basis. But when you got together with family and neighbors you caught up on all the happenings. Time together enjoyable-spent talking and laughing. When you made the weekly trip to church you would enjoy time worshiping together with other believers-then most of the time you had lunch on the grounds and a time of fellowship.
Sitting and chatting.
When was the last time you took the time to actually sit and talk to someone? More than just walking by and saying hello, how are you? A time to talk that actually took a little of your time. As we live one day at a time, we live a busy life. We get up early, stay up late, and go go go the entire time in between. But, here is a little question-how much of what you do will count for eternity. Don't get me wrong-if you are working-you still need to be the best employee possible. If you are raising a family-you need to be the best parent possible. BUT, there are many choices that have to be made each day-are you making the best choice possible? There are good, better, and best. It sometimes mean sacrifices have to be made. It also may mean that you have to say no to some things. Going to every single activity and being so busy that you have no time to enjoy your home with your family there with you-isn't the best.
Slow down. We are entering a very busy time of year-Thanksgiving and Christmas. Calendars will fill up and schedules will get busy. Take the time to sit and chat. Show people that you care by be willing to stop and listen. You may have to forgo baking the homemade cookies this year or you may not make every single party, but your holiday time can be so much sweeter with many more opportunities to sit and talk-witnessing to unsaved family members and friends or sharing blessings of how God has worked in our lives.
Colossians 4:5-6
"Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
Ephesians 5:15-16
"Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
Time-it's a precious commodity. You can't add more hours to your day but you can make the ones you have count.
Psalm 39:4-5
"Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath."
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