August 31

The Day I Slept In … but Shouldn’t Have!


The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat.

Proverbs 13:4 (NAS)


See also: Proverbs 6:9-11; Ephesians 5:15-16


I believed the lie, and all day long I paid for it. My soul was craving something, and I knew what it was.

Time with God. Time in His word.

You see, I’d chosen to sleep in—sometimes that’s okay, but not that day. My schedule wouldn’t allow me to sleep in and still have that special early time with Him. Time I’d come to treasure. And so, I missed the refreshment, the joy of that still, quiet hour.

That's right. I missed His joy, and now, I went through the day with this cloud of regret … and no energy … this feeling everything was being done in my weakness, not in His strength.

What a contrast to the day before.

That day was so different. That early morning hour sent my spirit soaring through the day. My soul was fat. Amazing isn’t it, how a simple act of selfishness becomes a stumbling block? I’ve learned this lesson too often. From now on, I’m taking a friends advise: “Sleep in on the front side of your night—not the backside.” Good advise for redeeming the time … and fattening the soul!


Lord, give me wisdom to manage my time, our time, and make the most of every opportunity. Amen.