Yesterday’s post on using transition times to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving reminded me of when I first became aware of the importance of transition times throughout the day.

It was 1982. I was working in a Mennonite window factory in Washington, Iowa. In fact, it had just opened and I was the only worker at the time. All day I would listen to the Christian music piped into the factory and carry my windows from jig to jig. After years of teaching in the public schools and the past year of completing my master’s degree while also teaching 40+ guitar students, I now had no distractions and was free to focus my day on growing my relationship with God. And I thought to myself, “Why is it so hard to focus on maintaining a relationship with God throughout the day in a regular job?”

I thought about Daniel praying seven times a day. Then it occurred to me that there are times of transition throughout every day, some the same and some at varying times and places. We get up and we go to bed, two essential times for focusing on who God is and who we am in His sight, times for preparing and reflecting on daily agendas. (This would later become an essential leadership lesson for me, understanding the value of not running into the day unprepared.)

We generally eat three times a day, which for many is a customary time of prayer, time for giving thanks, and time for regaining God’s perspective. Though I was never very good or consistent with taking breaks mid-morning or midday, I learned there was value in setting aside some time to back off from whatever projects or stressors, and look at the big picture. Getting up, 3 meals, 2 breaks, and going to bed…7 natural breaks in the day to focus and give thanks and gain perspective. And then I realized there were several other transition times, from one appointment to another, from home to work or school or the stores, from one project to another, times of getting up and times of sitting down.

The point isn’t to make a legalistic tour of the day, but to recognize natural occurring opportunities for connecting with God, for backing off to gain perspective, and for recharging your batteries. Of course, for a Spirit Filled Christian the opportunity is there to develop a relationship so close that every moment is a time of personal relationship with Christ who offers to live IN the heart of the believer. Humbly, I am still in process.

What are the transition times in your life? And how can you intentionally use them for your benefit and the benefit of others around you? It is a habit worth cultivating.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18