The Gift of Time

I think everyone has had a moment of truth in which he realizes how life is passing by quickly.  There is work to be done, work we are called to do, and countless diversions to keep us from that work. 

I'm not just speaking of the work where we earn a wage to support our families and ourselves.  I'm thinking of the work we were born to do--the work that will have made the world a better place when we leave it.  Perhaps some of that work might be an intrinsic part of the wage-earning work we do, and that is ideal.  I certainly felt moments like that when I was teaching children. 

But just as a thief can invade our home and rob us of valued possessions, there are thieves that rob us of the blessing of doing our life's work.  There is this demanding physical world in which we live, and in an effort to make sense out of it, we engage in tasks that have only temporary value.  But the larger, eternal world is a spiritual one, and when we are robbed of touching that world, even for one day of our lives, it is truly a tragedy. 

God is always at work in our lives, but we often are too busy to see what gifts He is trying to share with us.  Today, I whispered prayers as I awoke and stumbled out of bed, another few whispers to the Lord during my walk with Coco, and another few prayers in the car.  Still, they weren't fervent;  they were just passing words, like a neighbor might offer us a smile and wave of "good morning."

This day was a gift from God and where did it go?

In the first hour of the day, I showered and did my hair and makeup, made my bed, opened all the sliders, had some juice, let the dog and cat on the patio.  Then I checked my two email accounts, answered phone calls and returned others.  I sorted through laundry, brought in the trash bin,  fed and groomed Coco and Raindrop, and took Coco on a half hour walk in the park. 

After driving three towns away to pick up my new "lens wear" this morning, I spent several hours shopping at the mall for a new outfit because I had never made it to church on Sunday since I could find nothing at all suitable to wear.

Late afternoon, I did some research on the computer regarding a future move I have to make.  I spent at least an hour playing Words with Friends, Eight Letters in Search of a Word, and Drop Poker.  A "Little House on the Prairie" episode and an old Western stole another couple of hours from me. 

This day was not as I had planned or hoped.  Last night my friend Peggy and I had agreed to meet on the way to pick up my new eyeglasses.  She had to take her Toyota for a recall repair which was expected to take several hours, and while they did the repair, she thought she could ride with me to my eyeglass place, and then we could browse in a charity thrift store or have a bite to eat together. It was a plan full of hope and cheer.

Somehow we never were able to meet.  Her repair was completed earlier than she expected, and she headed home.  I got out the door later than I intended, and neither of us was able to connect with the other.  Peggy doesn't have a cell phone!

In the interest of friendship, that one meeting would have been something very worthwhile and uplifting for both of us.  Friendship matters!  It would have been part of the life work that makes the world a better place.  We would have spoken of family and friends and offered insights and reflections on what it means to be a mother and a grandmother.  Our shared words of wisdom would have inspired us with hope and brought healing of memories.  Our conversation would then have become part of the greater picture of our lives, our extended families, friends, and our neighbors in the world. 

"Heavenly Father, thank you for your loving kindness toward me.  Thank you for each day you have given me, each full of countless blessings.  Forgive me, Lord, for not doing your will more completely today.  Forgive me for allowing precious time to evaporate in useless activities and inane diversions.  Help me to choose wisely and to remain centered in you.  I don't want to do anything without your presence and grace.  Please direct my path and put your love in my heart so that even the smallest act of my daily life will be touched by you.  In Jesus name, I ask this.  Amen."