Margins. They make reading easier by framing words on a page. Margins in our lives serve to keep our existence from more than a hurried, crowded narrative of our daily attempts of self preservation. But it seems that we keep adding just a little more activity, more goals, more work, more debt, more fun, more stuff until the story of our lives reads like a jumbled mess of words filling every white space on the page of our existence. I’ve been reconsidering my own margins. Here’s what I want:

Margin in my schedule. That’s such a struggle. I’m in a season of my life that a lot of the work I have done for decades is finally paying off. That translates in opportunities and those commitments need my time. I’ve worked hard for this and now I’m struggling with it. Without margins on my schedule I can’t find time to volunteer, mentor, and be a friend.

Margin in my finances. If my entire pay check is spoken for before I even get it, then I can never help a friend in need, fund a mission project or just bless someone with a nice dinner.

Margin in my faith. Too often I treat God more like Santa Claus: I come to him hurriedly with my list of needs and wishes and I dump them and just run away. But God often speaks in the still small voice during the quietness of introspection of a prayer that listens as much as it speaks.

So how are the margins in your life? Be honest. Are you trying to fill your schedule with just a little more of __? Are you spending every penny your earn? When was the last time you stopped to listen to God’s voice? I know I have to consciously manage these margins, because left unchecked, they disappear.

What area of your life you’re having the most trouble with creating margins?