"A Reuters news report recently estimated 11,300 laptop computers, 31,400 handheld computers and 200,000 mobile telephones were left in taxis around the world during the last six months. Taxi drivers in nine cities also said they had found a range of other items, including a harp, dentures and artificial limbs. One driver said he even found a baby in his taxi.
All of us lose things at times. Whenever we do, we can waste an awful lot of time trying to get them back. We can often avoid this problem however by making it a habit to go through a quick mental checklist before we leave the cab, train, or plane. Every time you prepare to leave, quickly ask yourself if you have the 4 or 5 items most likely to be left behind. Make it a habit to touch or see each one before leaving.
Taking a moment now to avoid confusion later is God’s pattern for redeeming the time.
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"Some folks enjoy making lists. When they get enough lists, they start making lists of their lists, eventually winding up with lists of lists of lists.
Lists are very useful tools for managing time, as long as we manage our lists. Our tendency is to leave work with a list of things to do the next day. On the drive home, we grab a napkin at the stoplight and scrawl out a list of things to pick up at the store. When we’re in the store we start a list on the back of a business card of things we can’t forget to do before we go to bed, and so on.
The problem with lists of list of lists is they often become decentralized and out of control. A better way, is to make all your lists in your electronic organizer or dayplanner.
The Bible contains many useful lists in one book. Maybe keeping your lists of lists of lists in one place will help you redeem the time.
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"A college freshman walked into the library for the first time. Seeing a man standing behind the counter he said, “I’d like a hamburger, fries, and Coke.” The irritated librarian responded, “Young man look around. This is a library!” “Oh I’m sorry.” said the student, who then whispered, “I’d like a hamburger, fries and Coke.”
Obviously this student had not spent much time in the library, which is true of a lot of us. But for those who want to accomplish something in life, the Library can be an excellent place to invest time. One of the biggest problems executives face is interruptions at work. Many have found an isolated corner of the library the perfect refuge.
Our family’s seminar ministry often involves travel to another state for evening services. We’ve found one of the best places to use time during the day while traveling is the public library, most all of which have a children’s section and Christian books and videos all of which can redeem the time.
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"Bill decided to wash his own sweatshirt. So he called out from the laundry room, “Honey, what setting on the washer do I use for my shirt?” “It depends.” She replied, “What does it say on the shirt?” Bill yelled back, “State University.”
Obviously Bill was severely challenged in the area of laundry skills. So, perhaps he could have benefited from cleaning expert Don Aslett’s ideas for saving time with laundry. He says for example, “Wash things when they’re dirty. Not just because they’ve been used once or twice, or because someone put them in the hamper. Bath towels don’t have to be dumped in the washer daily. Remember, you’re just drying-not cleaning-yourself with them. If everyone has “their towel” it can used up to a week and still be sanitary.”
God wants you to have clean clothes, but He also wants you to keep a clean heart. If we can spend less time cleaning clothes we’ll have more time for spiritual cleansing, which is a much better way to redeem the time.
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