I am a quality timer. I like to spend time with those who are important in my world and when I do my “love tank” fills up, and quickly becomes depleted when I don’t.
Quality time is giving someone your undivided attention. It’s togetherness, and time spent in quality conversation; no phones, television, or distractions. In today’s world quality time is actually a lot harder to give and receive than many people realise because many of us have become accustomed to constant background noise, distractions and interruptions.
One of the most important factors of quality time is quality conversation. When two people are sharing their experiences, their thoughts, their feelings, and their desires in a friendly, uninterrupted context. It’s to sit down, ask questions, and to actively listen to one another.
Some tips for engaging in quality time and conversation are:
Maintain eye contact when the other person is talking.
Don’t listen and do something else at the same time.
Listen for feelings. Ask yourself, “What emotion is the other person experiencing?”
Refuse to interrupt. It’s says what we are thinking and saying is more important than the other person.
Such active listening will fill the love tank of the person whose primary love language is quality time. (Gary Chapman – The 5 love languages)
A well-known saying is that, “children don’t need more things. The best toys a child can have is a parent who gets down on the floor and plays with them.” I would say the same for everyone whatever age we are. It’s not more possessions that we need, but in fact quality time with one another.
God teaches us through His word to measure our days and to not waste the opportunities we have each day to love others, to make a difference in people’s lives and to fulfil the dreams and plans He has deposited in our hearts. He wants us to have quality in everything we say and do, and that means focusing on how we relate to those around us. Do we give people quality time or do we take them for granted? Are we making heart to heart connections, and are we walking in love?
Today, consider when was the last time you put aside your daily distractions and gave uninterrupted quality time to those in your world. If it’s been awhile or you’ve fallen into the habit of doing others things while spending time with people, then choose to set aside some undivided attention with your spouse, partner, kids, and friends and family, because the greatest gift we can give someone is our time.
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 15:15-16)
Prayer: Lord please help me to lay aside those things which distract and intrude on my time with others. Help me to make time to be focused on the people you have placed in my world, and to realise the greatest gift I can give someone is my undivided attention. In Jesus name Amen.
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