“Too much of my time passes in busy idleness, too much in waking dreams. I aim at something; but hindrances from within and without make it difficult for me to accomplish anything.
I dare not say I am absolutely idle, or that I willfully waste much of my time. I have seldom one hour free from interruption.
Letters come that must be answered, visitants that must be received, business that must be attended to.
I have a good many sheep and lambs to look after, sick and afflicted souls, dear to the Lord; and therefore whatever stands still, these must not be neglected.
Amongst these various avocations, night comes before I am ready for noon and the week closes, when, according to the state of my business, it should not be more than Tuesday.
O precious, irrecoverable time! O that I had more wisdom in redeeming and improving thee! Pray for me, that the Lord may teach me to serve Him better.”
–John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Volume 2 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1820/1988), 2: 233-234.
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