TIME. This is the one resource of which we have a limited amount and we cannot attain any more. We all want more time, but the real question becomes how do you use the time we have been given? I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family. Growing up, my parents modeled for me being at church and placing Christ at the center of our home. My parents were married for 57 years, and they truly loved each other. Building a godly marriage for 57 years, a marriage of love and faithfulness, takes daily Time and commitment. Our family wasn’t perfect, but I was blessed to be raised in a loving, godly environment that definitely shaped who I am today. Now, as a husband and father, I am endeavoring to pass Christ and His love on to the next generation. And, I have a limited amount of Time to do it.
Being a parent in this day is not easy. There are challenges for our kid’s time, attention and devotion, like social media, that many of us did not have to navigate when we were growing up. Social media, video games, school, sports, etc. are not bad, but they compete with us for our kid’s TIME, attention and devotion. Add to this, the societal fears of a pandemic, wars, and school shootings bring a level of anxiety, fear, and worry that most of us did not have to face growing up. This is truly a different time for raising children.
In addition, the pressure on marriages can be different today as well. With the busyness of two income households, societal pressures from comparison traps on social media, and running kids to countless activities, you feel like you are just passing in the night. The pressure to provide the “Instagram” life in the middle of recessions and inflation. The pressure to stay true in the age of pornography, emotional connections on social platforms, and instant gratification becomes a daily battle for many.
But, overall, it is TIME. Really, where you spend your limited amount of TIME. We don’t think we have TIME to pray, for church, or to invest in our family, but we do. We seem to have time for social media, sports, shopping, etc., but sometimes TIME with these causes us to not be fully present with the people we love? People need to feel safe and loved in marriage and with kids. Someone said you spell love, “TIME.” This is so true. Yet, it is such a challenge for us.
We all have the same amount of TIME. It really comes down to your priorities in how you invest the TIME you have been given. I like to work. I love my job. It is a passion and joy for me. Yet, I must always let my wife and children know they are more important than my job. I am committed to doing great at work, but I long to have that same, and even greater, commitment to my family.
Recently, our family went on vacation. This was our last major trip together with just the five of us before Grace, our oldest, goes off to college. It really hit me on this trip to make the most of this “TIME” together. We talked about Jesus, life, family, friends, and church as we hiked, drove around, and sat at meals. I was determined not to let this moment pass, but to truly engage in it.
So many times it is a challenge just to find “TIME” to talk to our spouse or our children. Maybe we can’t remember the last time we had a serious conversation for more than 5 minutes with our spouse or children about Jesus, life, their worries, fears, or joys. We can’t keep missing these moments. We must speak up and speak out because this precious moment in time will be truly gone forever.
So, I challenge and encourage you. Prioritize your “TIME.” You don’t have to go to a National Park, but you can go to your dining room table, a local restaurant, or even a State Park. But, you must schedule it. If you don’t take control on your time, then everything else will. Embrace the moments. Step into them with confidence. Don’t let everyone be on their phones (we didn’t have cell service in some of the places we went – praise God 🙂 You don’t have to preach, just love and listen. The TIME goes by so quickly, so embrace the moment and be bold.
God has entrusted a family to you. Seriously, to you. Your parents, spouse, children, and/or others. Make the “TIME” precious. You have a limited amount, so use it wisely. You don’t have many moments left – I am writing as the dad of a child who leaves for college in two week – where did the TIME go? I’m so thankful for our trip and especially for this TIME. But, let’s make the most of all our TIME, and not just on a vacation, but every day of our lives. How are you using your precious “TIME?”
