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The average lifespan of a person in the U.S.A. is:
A) 25,000 days
B) 50,000 days
C) 75,000 days
Does it surprise you that 25,000 days is the right answer? Some people get more, some less. 25,000 days...
Each week we receive 14,880 minutes. There have been studies of how people in the U.S. actually use those minutes. Here are some of the results:
< Sleeping: 3,115 minutes
< Working: 1,288 minutes
< Watching TV/videos: 1,078 minutes
< Household chores: 462 minutes
< Eating at home: 371 minutes
< In transit/commuting: 357 minutes
< Grooming: 343 minutes
< Reading: 301 minutes
< Preparing meals: 238 minutes
< Child and pet care: 175 minutes
< Hobbies: 126 minutes
< Grocery shopping: 112 minutes
< Exercising: 110 minutes
< Worship: 105 minutes
As a couple or an individual, what does your week look like? If we believe that life is a gift from God, and everything in our lives is a gift from God, does God get the last place with our time? All of us have the same amount of time each week. Our talents and our treasures may differ, but we're equals when it comes to the clock.
I challenge you, and myself, to make time with God a greater priority. Not only on Sunday, but also by daily prayer. Our kids need direction in our confusing and troubling times. Where are they going? Praying with them and for them is one of the best gifts, probably the best gift, you can give them. Fr. Patrick Peyton used to say, "The family that prays together stays together." In an age and culture that holds the family in low esteem, the best roots you can give your children is a life centered in God. Think about it!
Prayer CAN and DOES change our attitude. Rev. Chuck Swindoll wrote: "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes."
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