THE GIFT OF TIME

THE GIFT OF TIME

Perhaps our most treasured personal possession is God’s lifetime endowment time.  According to Psalm 90:10, ‘the days of our lives’ might be numbered as “threescore years and ten,” a mere seventy years.  It all passes so quickly.  How we choose to utilize this divine gift of time, i.e. the wisdom capacity of our temporal investment, will reap either positive dividends or negative regrets, both on earth and throughout eternity. 

With today’s harried, hurried, helter-skelter schedules, it is all too easy to lose ourselves and our balance amidst a plethora of daily activities.  All pervasive and unyielding demands, challenging careers, financial realities, personal and professional relationships, along with a host of miscellaneous responsibilities too numerous to mention, somehow manage to possess and obsess us.  And if we are not careful, if we fail to pay attention, our life circumstances and choices will ultimately govern and dramatically alter our relationships.  Consider the following story about a young child who desperately needed his father’s time and attention.

A weary man returned home rather late after a day of intense and demanding work.  His ten-year-old son anxiously awaited him at the door.  “Dad,” he said with all seriousness, “could I ask you one question?”

 The very tired father tried his best to put on a happy face, and then he replied, “Sure son.” 

“Dad, how much money do you make in an hour?”

“Son, that’s really none of your business…”

“Please tell me, Dad.  Please…it’s very important!” pleaded his little boy.

The father was growing agitated and just wanted to finish the conversation.  “All right,” he caved in, “twenty dollars per hour.”

His son grew terribly excited and asked, “Daddy, could I please borrow ten dollars from you?”

By then, the tired and distracted father was growing impatient and angry.  He shouted at his little boy.  “It’s been a long day.  I’m really tired and you’re not making much sense.  So go to bed…now!”

After some time, the father calmed down and realized he had been unduly harsh with his son. So he went into his bedroom and apologized.  “I’m sorry for being so tough on you, son.  Here’s the ten dollars you asked for,” the father said with a convincing smile.

“Thanks Daddy!” the little boy shouted and literally jumped up with joy.  He ran to his piggy bank, excitedly pouring out its contents.  “Dad, I’ve been saving up for this.  I have ten dollars in coins.  And with the twenty I just borrowed from you, I would like to buy one hour of your time.  Please come home early tomorrow so we can have dinner with you!  Please?!?”

The father broke down in tears and left the room without saying a word.  At breakfast the next morning, he vowed to his son that he would try his best to come home earlier each day, to spend time with him, to help with his homework and to enjoy a pleasant family dinner.

Question: Who or What is the primary recipient of your time-treasure?  Please think about it, and choose wisely.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!