The Art of Killing Time

Day time.
Night time.
Dinner time.
Bed time.
Your time. 
Our time. 
Family time. 
Prayer time.
Nap time. 
Me time. 
Taco time.

God's gift of time, we try and schedule it, but ultimately it keeps ticking away. We can't stop it and we can't even slow it down.  Last month I turned 40 years old. If I live to 80, mathematically, half of my time here is gone. Woah! I'm not feeling sorry for myself and neither should you. It's just that this "weird" fact (along with all the grey hairs on my head) have caused me to think more critically about where and how I spend my time. You could say I am way more intentional with it, I care more about it. I don't have all the answers, but I often find myself frustrated when I have "time to kill", when I'm not being productive with it.

Currently, our family is stranded in Flagstaff, Arizona. The transmission in our "Catholic Limo", the 12 passenger Nissan van, has blown up and it's held us up for three extra days while the mechanic rebuilds one for us. Even though northern Arizona isn't the worst place to be stranded, I find myself really frustrated. I had a game plan, time allotted, and now I'm stuck, killing time, waiting to get going again.

Or perhaps, I don't know the art of killing time yet. It seems to me that much of ordinary life is waiting. And much of the spiritual journey involves patient hopeful waiting. And patience is one of those strange virtues that can only be built like a muscle is built in the body. We have to exercise it, in order to grow it. When faced with a moment of frustrating waiting, it is our intentional pursuit of patience that brings us peace, and there grace abounds. 

"Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1: 2-4

Jesus never tires of growing us into the disciples He wants us to be. If we try and eliminate moments that grow our patience we will most likely miss the most important lessons that He has to offer. 
​
Is there something I could be learning from my current experience? Yes.
Could I use this time to form deeper connection with my wife and kids? Of course. 
Should I stop complaining and go to the Grand Canyon instead? Great idea!

How do you "kill time" when you are stuck waiting? Do you have a tip or trick? We'd love to hear how you spend your God-given "waiting" moments.
​Leave a comment below. 

Peace and Good! 
​ennie