Margin

One of the things I have noticed over time is the pressure I feel to decrease my margins in my life to allow time for the important things - things like family meals, dates with my wife and lunch with my daughter. It's easy to fill up my schedule so full that there is literally no time for these things, and often no time for me to invest in my corporate relationship with God.

Margin in our lives is important and in many cases essential to our personal health and the health of our families. I have a friend who appears to be fighting the final days of cancer. He is young and has a beautiful family. His wife echoed the statement made by just about everyone who has been in their situation: Make the most of everyday. Tell people you love them.

No one lies on their deathbed proclaiming their regret at not having worked more hours or made more money. But almost everyone wishes they had spent more time with there families, given more time to their relationship with God and often regret that they hadn't done more to help others.

Most of us aren't at the end of our lives (at least it doesn't appear so), but all of us must insert margin into our lives so that our regrets are minimal. What are the important things? When Jesus asked, he replied that we are to love God and love people (Matthew 22:37-40). God modeled this principle in creation when He established the 7th day as a day of rest. Working 7 days a week is not healthy for you or for your family. Setting aside times for family and friends are important elements of being the people God has called us to be. How well are you doing? Where do you find it difficult to say no? Where must you do so?