It's TIME to Shelter

Ordinary people think merely of spending time. Great people think of using it.




When someone mentions time, everyone within hearing distance usually reaches for their watch or glances at a clock.  For me, when time is mentioned, I think of my Papa; in my mind's photo album, I can still see him standing tall, stately, and handsome...

Papa, my mother's father, had TB and was in a sanatorium five times.  Papa was able to get a 24-hour release to walk my mother down the aisle.  And then, the miracle drug, Streptomycin, was released.  Expected to die, my Papa's TB became inactive, and a sense of normalcy resumed. 

After that, Papa went to watchmakers

school.  He worked in a jewelery store and I loved stopping in to see him when we went to town on Friday nights.  He also kept a drawer full of old clocks and clock parts in his work desk at home that we could play with.  Papa lived to the age of 80, thanks to Waksman and his laboratory discovery of Streptomycin.  So while working on instruments measuring time, God gave Papa more time with us.

For me, time is hard to give to others.  For years I did just fine, loving all the occasions I could share time with others: funeral dinners, hospital visiting, child-sitting, children church teaching -- so many activities I gladly involved myself in. 

However, as I age, I find myself being selfish with my time.  I want to use all my "feel-good" moments for things I want to do.  These usually involve my family and my writing.  I hate to admit this, but I determined from the beginning of this blog that I would be authentic in my writing, showing the ugly with the beautiful.  So I am confessing my selfishness.

Perhaps in my younger days I stayed busy because I was more concerned about "what others think of us" instead of doing what would be more lasting in God's kingdom.  I wanted to please everyone, so instead of seeking God's will for my time, I would say "yes" to anything asked of me.  My responsiveness was well-intended, but one thing I have learned is to ask God's permission first before uttering that yes.  I find out that more and more often God gives permission through my talents.  He created me with talents, and He wishes to love and care for others through them.

God has also been speaking to me more about "time unnoticed."  I am determined in 2011 to take more time for God's Word and prayer, to take more time attentively listening to family and friends, and closing my computer to send cards, encourage and bless the lonely of the church.  I'm not sure all God has planned for my time, but I am willing to follow obediently as He speaks.   Paul tells us,  Be very careful how you live—not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is (Ephesians 5:15-17). 

So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith (Galatians 5:10).  That's looking at time with a Biblical worldview.  I plan to read these two books:  Hurt Healer: Reaching Out to a Broken World by Tony Nolan and The Dangerous Art of Loving Your Neighbor: Seeing Others through the Eyes of Jesus by Mark Labberton.  I believe when we see clearly the pain of others we will be compelled to give our time to their healing.  There didn't seem to be many books on giving our time to God.  I found many time management books, but it isn't management I need, it's a willingness to manage my moments for God. I would love to hear of books you feel would be a help on this journey of gifted time.

       

So when "the chimes of time ring out the news another day is through" I want to know I have given God the minutes of my day to be used for His glory.