Live with Margin

“Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.”

—WILL ROGERS

For David said, The Lord, the God of Israel has given peace and rest to His people.

—1 Chronicles 23:25

If you are like me, you don’t like to waste one moment of time. You’d rather balance your checkbook while you’re waiting in the doctor’s office than read a magazine. You often make appointments and follow-up calls while you’re sitting at the mechanic’s or in the car line at your child’s school. You pride yourself on never wasting time. That may sound right, but it isn’t very realistic. When I plan everything too close in an effort not to waste any time, I always end up frustrated and rushing around trying not to be late. What we need is margin between things. That means we add time to each task or appointment we hope we won’t need, but we make available just in case. I can finally acknowledge that absolutely everything takes a little longer than we think it will. Things we did not foresee like a last-minute phone call, car keys that cannot be located, or a cell phone forgotten can slow us down and complicate things greatly if we try to pack too much into the schedule. I frequently have times when I get into my car to drive away and have to go back into the house as many as three times to get things I forgot due to my rushing to get out.

It seems as though I have tried my entire life to avoid getting anywhere early with nothing to do but wait. I should also add that, until recently, I planned things without leaving margin and usually ended up either being late or getting there on time frustrated and stressed. But the good news is I am changing. I saw the light and now consistently plan extra time for the unexpected things I do not expect but almost always happen. I have not arrived yet, but I am determined to press on because I refuse to live a complicated life any longer.

It is better to do less with peace than it is to do more with stress. In what areas of your own life do you need to add margin? I suggest you start adding fifteen minutes to each item on your daily to-do list. You will probably end up using it, but if by chance you have some free time, try resting. Have a mini-vacation. Close your eyes, lay your head back, and relax. It will help prepare you for what’s next on your schedule.