Redeeming Your Days
It was almost New Year’s Day. I was in my early twenties and working my first “real” job at a Christian non-profit when my friend Susan gave me a spiral planner. At the time, I wasn’t really sure what to do with it. To that point, my to-do lists had worked for me. Besides, I’d survived college remembering most of my scheduled meetings, appointments, and assignments without a planner. What was the value of week-at-a-glance page layouts alongside a year’s worth of monthly calendars?
In those days before smartphones and apps, I didn’t realize then what I do now: that planner was more than a thoughtful gift. Not only did it help me keep track of important dates and information, but along with the wise counsel of godly friends, that planner taught me how to organize my God-given days around the things (and people) that really matter to me. Now, as a pastor’s wife, my planner is one of my most valuable tools.
As we transition from one year to the next, how will you redeem your days? How will you “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time,” as Paul exhorts in Ephesians 5:15-16? God numbers our days (Psalm 139:16), and though we don’t know what tomorrow will bring (James 4:13-15), each day is an opportunity to live for him (2 Corinthians 5:9). The following practical suggestions may not all be equally doable, but hopefully they will help you redeem your time in ways that work for you. Whether you use a spiral planner, a phone app, or another planning system, take time to review the past year and plan for the future.
Look Back, Look Forward
It’s good practice to consider the past and learn from it. So, before jumping into a new year, let’s pause to flip through our planners or scroll last year’s calendar on our phones and ask ourselves some questions:
- What filled my schedule?
- What memories stand out from the past year?
- Did I move forward with my goals? Were they too ambitious or unrealistic?
- Did unexpected illness or church circumstances redirect my steps?
- How was God at work in my life, my family, and my church to accomplish his purposes?
Think about Job’s confession, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). Even if last year unfolded differently than we planned, God remains sovereign, and he fulfills his purposes. Our heavenly Father uses even hard situations to teach us to depend on him (2 Corinthians 12:9), draw us near to him (Hebrews 4:16), and grow us in godly character (Romans 5:3-5). He doesn’t waste anything (Romans 8:28-29).
Keeping all these truths in mind as we look forward to next year, with open hands, let’s surrender our plans to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3 and 16:9) and trust him to guide us (Proverbs 3:5-6). With Moses, we humbly ask God to “teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
Of First Importance
Between family, church, school, work, and other responsibilities, a pastor’s wife wears a lot of hats. She also juggles a lot of schedules—her own, her family’s, and her church’s schedules. Above any other important task or priority, though, comes her relationship with the Lord (see Luke 10:42). Entering the new year, how will we feed our souls on a daily basis?
The planner that my friend Susan gave me came from Joni and Friends, a Christian ministry that advocates for and serves people with disabilities worldwide. The 2024 version included a built-in daily Bible reading plan, monthly devotional readings, space to write prayer requests, and Scripture verses. Each month, there were also questions and dedicated space designed for intentional planning: “Who am I encouraging and praying for?” “What goals am I working toward?” “What am I grateful for?” Whatever planning system you implement, make time with the Lord in his Word and prayer of first importance. If needed, schedule it. Write it at the top of your daily to-do list. Jesus taught, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Seek God first, and the rest follows.
Prioritize Family
Investing in our marriages and children isn’t just a good thing. It’s biblical. A qualified pastor “must manage his own household well” if he is to care for God’s church (1 Timothy 3:4). In order to manage his household, a pastor must spend time with his wife and children, nurturing their faith and ministering to their needs. However, it’s easy for these priorities to be displaced.
My husband Scott and I are always amazed how quickly our shared family calendar fills up. If we aren’t intentional about scheduling family time—including date nights for the two of us (at home or out of the house) and memory-building activities with our children—other needs and requests take over and squeeze them out. Even Scott’s weekly day off can become another day of work instead of rest if we’re not careful. That’s why Scott and I meet regularly to schedule these priorities. Sometimes we’re flexible, working around church or school schedules, but we do our best to make sure our calendars reflect investment in our marriage and children and reserve time for rest and refreshment.
The start of the year, though, is an ideal opportunity to plan prayerfully with the big picture in mind. What opportunities does this season of life offer your family? A few years ago, considering the ages of our children, Scott and I dreamed about traveling cross-country to visit several National Parks and extended family. This goal required strategic planning, both to save financially and to prepare to step away from church for extended time, but it was definitely worth it. What special memory could you create for your family in the next year or two? What would foster growth in your relationships with one another while leading you to know and love our awesome Creator more and enjoy his creation (Psalm 19:1-4)?
Load the Church Calendar
Finally, load the church calendar. To start, Sunday morning services are a given for us (Hebrews 10:25). Other ministry activities come next. Because our church’s pastoral team plans a year ahead, when January 1st rolls around, Scott already knows which dates to reserve on our family calendar. The summer children’s program, youth camp, annual church picnic and work day, etc., are added. Even if Scott didn’t have to work at many of these events, our children wouldn’t want to miss them! Church meetings and important men and women’s events go on our calendar too, as well as classes we’re teaching.
Inevitably, church life shapes a pastoral family’s life, and as we pursue our gospel mission in both arenas, the priorities of church and family can blend in a wonderful way. With prayer and by God’s grace, we can plan for this life together—a life that honors the Lord and blesses our families as we “do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
©2023 Katie Faris. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
About The Author

Katie Faris
Katie Faris is a pastor’s wife and mother of five living in New Jersey. She is the author of God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope & Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood.