Now that fall semester has started, Monday through Friday, I have a one hour (one way) commute to the university.  It seems like everywhere I have lived, and most of the jobs I have had, always involve a bit of a drive.  This can definitely be a source of frustration when you wonder where your time is going, and you realize there is a two hour chunk going to “driving” most days.  I don’t mind the actual drive so much.  On many of these drives, I get in plenty of good “thinking” time, or on the way home, “unwinding” time.  I have listened to music, sung along with the radio, and listened to books on tape.  Yet, sometimes, it’s just discouraging to lose those two hours.

So, this semester, I am determined to redeem them.  I am spending a good chunk of my drive in praise, thanksgiving, and prayer.  I repeat my memory verses.  I talk to God about my day.  I pray for my students.  I ask for wisdom.  I ask for God’s brilliant planning skills, lesson plans, and assignment ideas.  And suddenly, those two “wasted” hours have become a blessing.

It’s ironic because I can remember many years ago, back when gas was much, much cheaper, and going for a drive didn’t seem frivolous or wasteful, when I would purposefully go on a “prayer drive” so that I could focus on God and worship.  I should probably point out that I have a very rural drive.  There isn’t a lot of traffic.  I watch for deer and tractors, and I am careful.  It’s just that instead of letting my mind wander aimlessly, I focus on God and communicating with him.  Now, I feel a double blessing of redeeming those “lost” hours, and of having so much extra time in prayer.

I am also excited about the possibilities of listening to Christian books and teaching on CD.  I am interested in learning more about notable Christian women.  With all of my reading for classes, I may not have time to sit down and read a biography, but I know there is the lovely possibility of listening to one on my commute.

Now, I haven’t found ways yet to redeem all of my time that seems to just “get lost,” but I believe that it is God’s will for us to redeem the minutes, hours and days, and that he will give us the creativity and wisdom to make the most of our time.