The Gift of Time

  Our Heavenly Father has given us many gifts. He has given us everything we have. One of the greatest assets is the gift of time.
 Do we use this gift wisely?
   Elder Ian S. Ardern of the Seventy said "time is never for sale. ("A Time to Prepare" Ian S. Ardern, Ensign Nov. 2011). There are many great ways to use this great gift of time that is so precious and priceless. How often do we pass the time doing useless things such as video games, watching TV sitcoms, sleeping too late, and many more unproductive activities? Time is precious.
   Today's world is a world of chaos, commotion and instant gratification. It may be hard at times to "stop and smell the roses" as they say. It can be pretty easy to be spread too thin. But from time to time, we need to check ourselves to make sure our priorities are in order. How often everyday are we giving ourselves time for scripture study? Personal prayer? I'm not talking about the prayer in the morning where you turn off the alarm and get on your knees and fall asleep again in the prayer position by your bed. I'm talking about a sincere conversation with our Heavenly Father. How often to we do that? He wants to here from us. He has given us everything, can't we give just a little time each day back to Him? The job that you commute to frantically...He gave you that. The kids you run around taking care of...He gave you those. The technology you always play around with...He blessed you with that. He has so richly blessed us. We must devote time to Him.
   Now, nobody is perfect and I ain't saying I am. We all do things that might need to be lowered on our priority list. At the same time, God wants us to be happy and not be so stressed. He is happy when we are happy. Even when it's a simple pleasure such as going to a baseball game. There's nothing wrong with that. But we must be careful with what consumes our time. There must be a balance to everything we do. Leave enough time for family, for work, physical exercise, relaxation, but most importantly the things pertaining to the gospel. We owe it to our Heavenly Father. He loves us so much and He wants us back. He wants us to be happy. I promise that we will find happiness as we devote more time to our Father in Heaven.