SIMPLE40 - DAY 22 - The Gift of Time
- Katie Donahue
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
Time is a gift from God, given freely, but not endlessly. Each of us receives a different measure, and the mystery of time is that none of us knows how much we have been given.
Because of this, how you choose to spend your time matters deeply.
Every day, you reveal what matters most by the time you choose to give it. If you say something is important but rarely make time for it, or claim something does not matter while it consumes your attention, your life begins to drift out of alignment. Part of living simply is gently realigning your priorities so that the way you spend your time reflects what truly matters.
This is where inviting the Holy Spirit into your day becomes essential. The Holy Spirit helps you see clearly, choose wisely, and remain attentive to what God is asking of you in the present moment.
And when you notice you have drifted?
Remember the beautiful spiritual phrase: nunc coepi: now I begin again.
Each moment is a new opportunity to begin.
So far in SIMPLE40 we have reflected on discipline, prayer, obedience, and listening to the Holy Spirit. Here are three simple practices to help you use your time well and keep your life centered on what matters most:
1) Keep Christ at the center of all you do. This takes intention, but it is worth the effort. When Christ is at the center, your decisions become clearer and your actions more purposeful. You spend less energy worrying about what you cannot control and more time focusing on what gives glory to God and brings true peace to your heart.
2) Do not multi-task. Despite what you may believe, multitasking rarely saves time. There is wisdom in the simple saying: “Do what you are doing until you are done.” Give your full attention to the task before you, complete it well, and then move on. Offering each task to God, even the small ones, brings focus and peace to your day.
3) Identify misuse of time. Take an honest look at where your time goes. How often do you lose track of time scrolling through social media, binge-watching shows, or getting drawn into conversations that lead nowhere? If this is a struggle, set gentle limits. Watch one episode instead of many. Spend a few minutes online instead of an hour. Then replace that time with something life-giving...a walk, a good book, calling a friend, praying the Rosary, or simply sitting quietly with the Lord.
As you move into the 4th Sunday of Lent, take a few moments to reflect on how you are spending your time. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and show you where small changes could help you focus more fully on what truly matters.
And if you notice you have wandered off course, do not be discouraged.
Simply whisper the words again: Nunc coepi. Now I begin.
spiritual Do you ever feel regret for the past or for time you believe you have wasted?
The enemy often wants us to dwell there: in regret, discouragement, or self-reproach. But the spiritual life is not about looking backward with despair. It is about turning again toward God with trust.
No matter how you have used your time in the past, you can begin today by offering your time for God’s glory.
The Lord wastes nothing.
Even your failures, when placed in His hands, can become places of grace, humility, and deeper dependence on Him. When you invite the Holy Spirit into your heart, He gently restores what has been lost and guides you forward with renewed purpose.
This is the hope behind the beautiful phrase nunc coepi - now I begin. Each moment God gives us is a new beginning.
You may find it helpful to pray the following prayer when you feel regret over lost time. It is a simple act of trust that God can redeem even what feels wasted.
A Prayer to Redeem Lost Time O my God! Source of all mercy! I acknowledge Thy sovereign power. While recalling the wasted years that are past, I believe that Thou, Lord, can in an instant turn this loss to gain. Miserable as I am, yet I firmly believe that Thou can do all things. Please restore to me the time lost, giving me Thy grace, both now and the future, that I may appear before Thee in "wedding garments." Amen. ~St. Teresa of Avila
self Do you use a planner or calendar to help schedule and manage your time?
Having a place to intentionally plan your days can make a big difference in how peacefully and purposefully you move through them. A planner allows you to see your commitments clearly, make space for what matters most, and avoid the feeling of constantly reacting to whatever comes next.
Personally, I use both a paper calendar and the one on my phone...though I still prefer the paper one. Writing things down helps me slow down, think through my priorities, and be more intentional about how I use my time.
The key is not which system you use, but that you find something that works well for you and actually use it. Some people love digital reminders and shared calendars, while others prefer the simplicity of pen and paper. Either way, the goal is the same: to create a rhythm in your days that reflects your priorities.
You might also consider scheduling time not only for appointments and responsibilities, but for the things that nourish your soul, prayer, rest, time with family, exercise, or quiet reflection.
When you plan your time with intention, you begin to live less hurried and more focused, giving your energy to what truly matters. Click the link so see how I use the Daily Rule planner page to manage my time: RULE OF LIFE DAILY PLANNER
service How are you doing with your acts of service and almsgiving?
Take a moment to look back at the “100 Ways to Serve” list. Have you tried any of them yet? Which ones have you checked off? Sometimes we are doing more acts of service than we realize...small gestures of kindness, helping a neighbor, preparing a meal, writing a note, or offering to pray for someone in need.
If you have not had the chance yet, consider choosing one simple act of service to do together as a family this weekend. Serving alongside one another not only helps those in need, but also teaches our children (and reminds us) that love is meant to be lived out in practical ways.
You might also ask yourself: What acts of service would you add to the list? Every family sees different needs within their community, parish, or neighborhood.
If you have an idea that has been meaningful for you, let me know! I would love to add new ideas to the list for next year so that even more people can be inspired to serve.
simple recipe BAKED LEMON ROSEMARY CHICKEN MEATBALLS I am making these meatballs ahead of time for our Sunday dinner as I need a quick, easy recipe. I have a bunch of ground turkey that I will use in place of the chicken and I will be doubling or maybe even tripling the recipe to be prepared for the next meal we are taking to a family in need.
Thank you for following along.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions or comments. katie@integratedlife.co If you are enjoying SIMPLE40, please share with a friend.
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