Being retired is different from working. During my working years, everything was filled with discrete deadlines. There was an exact TIME to get up, (alarm clock) a time to listen to the news, (on the hour, via my car radio) a time to start work, (a punch in clock) and a time to go home, (the mill whistle). Oh, sometimes a random clock would go off, (one of the babies would need changing) but most of the time life was one alarm after another, day after day after day. After awhile, life became a machine existence. But, now things are different! I still have things that need to be done, but they are more generic, like I need to eat or sleep... things like that. If you live, time is important to you and here is why...
Colossians 4:2-6 (WEB)
2) Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;
3) praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;
4) that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
5) Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
6) Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
2) Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;
3) praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;
4) that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
5) Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
6) Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
We only have so much time and whether retired or not and need to realize that no matter what your goals are, God's are bigger. We have a responsibility to reach out to others when they are receptive, when they have time, when the time seems appropriate. And do it carefully. So, no matter what is on your agenda today and no matter how specific your deadlines, remember God first through prayer and always be ready to insert time for reaching out to others; you may only get ONE chance. Lets just hope their clock and yours can mesh. By the way, check out the interesting combinations of the hour and minute hands on the picture above... hummmm!!! I just wish I knew what 7pm meant.