Time management

I often have well-meaning friends or family members that criticize my choice to do certain time-consuming things - baking my own bread, planting a garden, building and painting things, tackling home improvement projects, etc. They have even suggested that our family is too committed to church. 

While I can understand their concerns about all the demands I have in my life, I really believe that how we spend time reflects our priorities. If I want to prepare preservative-free homemade food for my family because their health is a concern to me, then that is my priority. If I have more time available to do projects myself than I have money to pay someone to do them for me, then that is my priority. If I believe the warnings of Hebrews 10:25 about being faithful to the church and brethren, then that is my priority. 

Also, by the same token, there are many things I do not consider a priority, some of which might should be. I am striving to exercise more regularly and eat better so I can lose some weight. I am really working hard to read through my Bubble this year in it's entirety. In the past I always seem to fizzle out after a few months, I am over half way there now and keeping up momentum.  I wish I had more time to sew. When we first moved to the panhandle, learning to quilt helped me keep my sanity and I miss it dearly. However right now educating my children is my priority. 

My priorities are not fashion or high style. It has been over a year since I saw a hairdresser for a trim or cut. I haven't colored my hair since I was in high school, though I keep noticing more gray hairs appearing. 

I have not made a priority of developing a lot of deep friendships. This is not to say I don't have friends. I have a few ladies I keep in touch with or go to church with who I consider great friends, though we don't go many places together or really hang out. For the most part we are busy take care of kids (or parents), without a lot of time to go get a coke or shop together. However, we have a connection in Christ that transcends spending time together. Even if I haven't talked to them in weeks, we can pick up wherever our conversation left off. Rather, I choose to make my husband and children my priority. My husband is my best friend, and after 15 years of marriage, I feel like we have a great marriage. By making each other our priorities, rather than hanging out with buddies, we don't deal with a lot of jealousy, discontentment, or problems. I also believe our marriage will remain strong even after our children are grown and gone, because we haven't let their activities consume all of our time. 

I do believe that staying busy keeping my home and even working my job makes me prioritize and spend my time wisely, so I don't spend a lot of time watching TV or looking at Facebook (I don't even hav.e an account!). 

What does your time management say about your priorities?