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“Quality time is dedicating our full attention and dedicated time to the person we are with. This could mean sitting together and connecting, having good conversation, hanging out after a long day, or taking a road trip. It involves committing our undivided attention and focus to someone special, eliminating all distractions, and letting them know that, through this gift of time, they are loved.”
A friend called yesterday, and we were just catching up. I said, “Hey, I saw your pictures on social media. It looks like y’all had fun.” She then told me about all they did and confirmed that they had a great time. She said, “We have been so busy this summer, and we felt like we wanted to take our kids on a trip, so we just ended up doing this.”
Often, we have these expectations and big plans, but they don’t always work out. I have come to learn from my kids that they will have fun doing pretty much anything as long as we are together and making memories.
Ecclesiastes 3:11-12 says, “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.”
This verse acknowledges the varied seasons of life, encouraging us to trust in God's timing and sovereignty over every aspect of our lives. It invites us to embrace the rhythm of God's timing, finding peace in the knowledge that there is a purposeful time for every activity under heaven.
With our devices always on us, I think we can miss the mark on quality time. I know I have to make a conscious decision from time to time to put my phone down and give my attention to the person I’m talking with or listening to. We are overly connected to what happens on our phones but not really connected to what is in front of us.
1 Corinthians 7:23-24 says, “God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.”
This verse emphasizes the urgency of living for God, reminding us that our time on earth is limited. It encourages us to use our time in ways that prioritize God's kingdom, understanding the temporal nature of worldly affairs. Paul is not saying to neglect things, but rather making a point that we need to focus on God’s will and not get wrapped up in worldly distractions.
If we are not focused on who or what is in front of us, are we really spending that time the way we should? Are we seeing what God might have for us in that time? Are we spending quality time with God as we should? These are all questions we should be asking ourselves and being mindful of.
I’m going to be honest. There are some days I have great intentions to sit and read my Bible and get into the Word outside of work, but I’m so busy doing other things. Yesterday I worked, left work, went home, ran errands, came home, made dinner, then left again to drop one of my kids off at a friend’s house, and came home... I was finally done at 7:30.
Does this sound like you… always going? Some days it is the opposite for me, and I have all the time but still fill it or just sit around resting.
It is about finding balance. It takes setting aside time to make quality time with the Lord. It is something to work toward on a daily basis.
Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Let us make it a good habit to always seek God above all and spend time with Him.