Jeff Haden, contributing editor for Inc., explains the difference between “quality time” and what Jerry Seinfeld identifies as “garbage time.” Here’s how Seinfeld defines spending time with his kids:
I'm a believer in the ordinary and the mundane. These guys that talk about "quality time" -- I always find that a little sad when they say, "We have quality time." I don't want quality time. I want the garbage time. That's what I like. You just see (your kids) in their room reading a comic book and you get to kind of watch that for a minute, or a bowl of Cheerios at 11 o'clock at night when they're not even supposed to be up. The
garbage, that's what I love.
Haden summarizes the importance of ordinary time this way:
Garbage time is the best time.
With co-workers.
With employees.
With friends and family, and especially your kids.
Garbage time isn't weighted by the expectation that a moment will be special and memorable and perfect. Garbage time just is. Garbage time is when you learn a little more about who people are. When they learn a little more about you. When relationships are not forced, but naturally formed.*
Is it possible, that we get so caught up in trying to find "quality time" with God, that we forget that He wants to be in every mundane moment with us, as we slog through life?
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5
Our Creator doesn't just want to be with us during the time that we "set aside" for Him (although, that's a wonderful practice for us to set aside time for Him).
He wants to be in every moment of every day, doing life with us in "real-time."
What good news, that God wants to spend the so-called "garbage-time" with His creation. It doesn't have to be flashy. It doesn't have to be some earth-shattering situation. God just wants to be with us.
Have a great day and God bless!
Pastor Mike / The Open Word
