When We Waste Time: Honoring the Lord with the Moments We’re Given

Inside: Encouragement and biblical tips for Christian homemakers to steward time well, overcome distractions, and live faithfully in the everyday moments.

Time is a gift from the Lord. But if you’re anything like me, you’ve had those days where you look back and wonder where all the time went. Maybe you sat down to do something simple, like pay a bill on your computer, and before you knew it, an hour had passed. You got pulled into social media or ended up watching a YouTube video—it might have even been something encouraging or edifying—but the reality is, there were other things on your list that needed to get done… and they didn’t.

And then comes that yucky feeling—yes, yucky—because that’s exactly how I feel when I know I didn’t use my time well.

This made me reflect: What am I doing with the time the Lord has given me? Am I being intentional with it, or just letting it slip away?

John Blanchard shared these words that struck my heart:

“To waste time is to squander a gift from God.”

That word squander isn’t one I use often, but it paints such a clear picture of what happens when I let precious time slip through my fingers. To squander something means to waste it foolishly or carelessly—and I know I’ve done that with my time more often than I’d like to admit. Time is a gift from the Lord, and I want to be a good steward of that gift.

How This Plays Out in My Life

When I was spending time updating old blog posts—like this one, which needed quite a bit of cleanup—I’d often sit down thinking, I’ll just work on this for 30 minutes. But before I knew it, an hour had passed.

I’ll be honest—I’m terrible at things like SEO, keywords, and metadata because I don’t really know what I’m doing! I start researching, trying to learn a bit more, but then I get pulled in—tinkering here and there—and the time just slips away.

Meanwhile, the laundry would still be sitting in the dryer (I think I’ve hit the “fluff” cycle three times before) and the dishwasher hadn’t been emptied.

Honestly, it was just easier. It felt more enjoyable to geek out on blog stuff than to fold laundry or tend to the other tasks waiting for me.

But this doesn’t just happen with blogging—it can be anything. For you, it might be Facebook, email, scrolling Instagram, reading a book, or watching a show. None of these things are wrong. We need rest and refreshment. But the problem comes when they distract us from the work the Lord has entrusted to us for the day.

For me, the issue is often self-discipline. It’s easier to do what I want to do rather than what I need to do. And let’s be honest, we live in a culture that doesn’t help much—we’re surrounded by messages of “treat yourself,” and instant gratification is everywhere.

I haven’t perfected this—and I never will this side of heaven—but I’ve found some habits that help me stay grounded in truth and be more intentional with my time. The Lord is so patient with me, and I want to grow in stewarding the time He’s entrusted to me.

Ephesians 5:15–16 reminds us:

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

That phrase—“make the best use of the time”—calls us to live with intentionality, not perfection. Our goal isn’t to check every box but to be faithful with what’s in front of us.

When I’ve wasted time, I just feel off-track. Like the day got away from me, and I’m left trying to play catch-up in my heart and home. But when I’ve been diligent and taken care of the important things, I enjoy those moments of rest so much more—whether it’s reading a book, watching a movie, or catching up on Facebook.

Simple Ways to Make the Most of Your Days

We’re all in different seasons. Some of us have little ones underfoot, while others are in quieter seasons of caring for aging parents or working outside the home. What faithfulness looks like may change, but the Lord sees every small effort to honor Him with the time we’ve been given.

Here are some habits that have helped me (imperfectly but prayerfully):

1. Spend time with the Lord first thing in the morning.

There’s no better way to start your day than sitting at the feet of Jesus. As Spurgeon said:

“It is a good rule never to look into the face of man in the morning till you have looked into the face of God.”

Our hearts need His Word and His presence before we pour ourselves out for our families. Pray over your to-do list and ask the Lord to help you steward your time well.

2. Tackle the hardest task first.

Whether it’s a phone call or an email you’ve been avoiding, try to take care of that one thing right away. It brings peace and momentum to the rest of your day.

3. Finish what you start.

Distractions happen, but when you can, stick with one task until it’s finished. Even jotting down tasks on a sticky note and crossing them off can bring a real sense of accomplishment.

4. Take the time to get organized.

Start small—one drawer, one cabinet, one routine. Organization frees up time and energy so we can focus on the people in our homes, not just the projects.

5. Learn to deny yourself.

Self-denial is part of following Jesus. It’s in the small choices—choosing God’s Word over email, prayer over the snooze button, service over scrolling.

Luke 9:23 reminds us:

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

What to Do When You Have Wasted Time

If you’re feeling like, “I’ve already wasted half my day today,” friend—don’t waste more time beating yourself up. Repent. Realign. Move forward.

Lamentations 3:22–23 assures us:

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.”

Take a moment and ask yourself:

• Is there an area where I tend to lose time most easily?
• What’s one small habit I could start today to steward my time more intentionally?

Let me close with these words from John MacArthur:

“We have only the time allotted by God, and none of us knows when it will run out… God gives us many things without limit—His love, His grace, and many others. But His gift of time is strictly measured.”

Final Encouragement

We’re reminded again that wisdom isn’t just knowing the right thing—it’s living it out, moment by moment, in the strength of the Lord. One of the clearest ways that wisdom shows up in our daily lives is in how we use our time.

Wherever you are in this season—whether it’s busy or quiet—remember the Lord sees your heart. He knows your frame. He delights in your faithfulness, even in the smallest of tasks.