Have you ever driven somewhere only to find out it was closed? Maybe you went somewhere because you were asked to go, but the reason you went was pointless. Heck, have you ever watched a t-ball game?! There are times when we are just wasting our time.
Recently my son decided to waste time in his schoolwork. There is a difficult balance in our home these days. Because of my summer work schedule there is one morning where my children are unsupervised during their morning work. I came in at one point and saw my son staring out the dining room window as if all would be right in the world if he was out in the neighbor's tree like a bird. I don't know. Who knows what he was thinking. It was probably the monkey clapping cymbals over and over. As lunch time approached I told my son to "Salvage the day!" After then defining the word salvage, he understood. Hours had been wasted. We cannot get them back. However, he had the opportunity to take back the rest of the day. He could, in fact, wake up! He didn't. He finished the day with about half of his work completed. So we then focused on salvaging the week. His Tuesday Bible study even discussed how God can take what was wasted and turn it to something beautiful. So he began to work. His focus was better. His mindset was better. But deep down inside, he knew he was behind. It irked him. I could sense the anxiety building within him. That is when I stepped in. Yes, there were things that needed to be done, but worrying will keep us from doing them. I did my best to guide him. He not only finished the day, he went back and made up some from the day before. He began his salvaging experience. We have the opportunity to salvage every single day. Salvage the time we do have rather than mourn the time we lost (this one is me completely!) Salvage the relationship before the lines are severed. Salvage the work you can get done while the time is available. Do you know the actual definition of salvage? The definition is to rescue from loss at sea. I know that probably means you think I'm a little off my rocker. Jewel, we are not deep sea diving. And yet, when life is going wrong, doesn't it feel like we are on a sinking ship? The easiest thing to do is throw up your hands and say, "Well, it's gone. Might as well move on." The hard thing is to say, "Nope, this is mine. I choose to take it! I will go find it. I will rescue what is mine!" Here's the ultimate point to take with as we deep sea dive. It. Isn't. Ours. Our day, our time, our relationships, our work, our money, our everything belongs to God. Have you ever had someone ask you to take care of something for you? Maybe you were babysitting or dog walking. It could be a house sitting situation or borrowing a friends car. Do you take care of other people's belongings better than your own? I know I do. When someone allows me to drive their car while mine is in the shop, you better believe it comes back with a full tank and cleaned up. I have house sat and looked in on cats. I make sure the mail is organized, the cat is fed, has fresh water, water the plants, sweep the floors, brush the cat, on and on. I could do more in 30 minutes of caring for a neighbor's cat than I do in my own house in three days. Why? Because it isn't mine. I would feel terrible if something happened to the cat while the owner is away. I would hate for them to come home from driving all night and find the house a mess. I want them to be happy that I was there to care for it. Now view your life that way. It isn't yours. God has given you breath. How will you use it? God has given you a voice. How will you speak? God has given you a job, a calling, a purpose. What will you do with it? When life is going crazy around you and the ship begins to sink, will you dive in to rescue what God has given you or will you throw your hands up in exasperation? God has salvaged much. What you are allowed to use, must be used fully. Go dive deep!
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May 2023
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