Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Time, a system or method of measuring or reckoning the passage of one of the most important gifts we have been given. Yet it is the gift we take for granted and freely waste. We measure how long it takes for a baby to be born, and instantly begin wishing time away. How long before they will sleep through the night? I can’t wait until they can take their first step so they can walk on their own. Then they walk and we run after them and wish we could go back in time when they were less mobile. We count the days when they will head off to school, and then we sit in our cars and cry the first time we turn them over to their first teacher. We count the days when they can get their driver’s license so it will free up our time. Then we spend wakeful nights watching the time, hoping they return safely. When they are young, we feel like we never have enough time, and then they grow up and we long to go back in time because we see how much time was wasted.
The moment we knew they were growing inside of us, we prayed we would never have to face that moment in time. The time to weep, the time to mourn, came too soon. We long like never before for time. We long for one more moment of a hug or a glance or an “I love you, Mom.” How much more meaning does a moment have? What would we give for that one more time? We want to hurry to get past this pain, but this grief takes time. What we don’t realize is that this time in grief is time well spent. It is a time of prioritizing, simplifying and faith producing. It is during this time we see the importance of living. Living is never more evident than when we face the finality of death. It is also where we truly understand the limit of time and the beauty of a life promised where there is no time.
Lord, each tick of the clock takes us closer to eternity with You and our loved ones. Let us use our time wisely.
– Michele
