Time

 

Time is something we tend to take for granted. We go about our fast paced lives always wishing we had more of it. "If only" becomes part of our daily vocabulary. Always wishing we could find it, or make more of it when we miss what's most important. We follow our routines like robots: going to work, coming home, cooking, cleaning, running errands, going to church, visiting family when possible, then off to bed to do it all over again tomorrow. What we fail to realize is what if there is no tomorrow? Have we spent our time wisely?

When my mother passed away three years ago I was devastated. The events around her death, the heart attack, being revived several times only to have brain damage, the decision to remove life support and then watching her waste away was the hardest thing I have ever experienced. Amazingly with no life support it took 8 days before she took her last breath and returned to Jesus. As I sat day and night by her bedside watching and waiting I had time to fully regret all I had missed. Here was a woman I loved dearly but never spent time with or made the effort to let her know on a regular basis how much she meant to me and now I couldn't. We lived 800 miles apart; I was married with children and living my life. Too busy to call, too busy to take time off and visit, all excuses as I thought my life was too important. It never crossed my mind that I wouldn't have the chance later when it was convenient for me. When she died I was left with just my "if only." I had truly believed there would always be time tomorrow… but tomorrow never came.

When the funeral was over, I returned home to my family and jumped back into my life with both feet. Periodically I would have remorse over moms passing and take stock in my life. I would think about what was important to me but never act on my feelings. I had a mortgage, car payment and tuition among other things that had to be paid. Not working was not an option. No matter how much I wanted things to change nothing ever did. I had my excuses all lined up again thinking I had no control over anything. It wasn't until I started to seek God that I realized I was in control and that was the problem. I had bought the new house, the fancy car, the cell phone and much more all to reward myself for the hard work I do. Not understanding at the time that these rewards were the very things keeping me from having what I desired most, more time.

Now that God is in control things are changing. I have come to realize how much time, money and energy I have wasted on the un-important things and that my time is the most valuable gift I have to offer. Material things are worldly riches on earth that do not matter in the end. You can't take them with you and the one with the most toys does not win the game of life. If you miss your child growing up or seeing that special person one more time you can't "do over" what has already past. Time is of the essence as tomorrow is a gift. Finding time can be as simple as turning off the TV, getting up a half hour earlier or changing jobs. Whatever it takes…just do it!

I encourage you today to ask yourself these important questions: If you had as much time as you have possessions what would you do with it? "How important are the people in your life? Do you spend time with them? How important is Jesus to you? Do you know him? Is your life worth your time? If so get back in it so you won't be left with "if only" or even worse, "Depart from me… I never knew you!"

Sherri Hunter