Forty-eight minutes twelve seconds. That is how much time I spent with my eldest son this week. 48 min 12 sec. That doesn’t sound like very much time does it? You know what…it’s not.
Forty-eight minutes and twelve seconds was the length of our phone call on Saturday afternoon. I was supposed to go away to a youth retreat but got sick. I was feeling down and somewhat alone. I had just fallen asleep and the phone rang. If I had gone away I would have spent exactly NO time with my son this week!
In that ‘under an hour’ call, I needed to catch up on everything in his life. Academics, friendships, health-physical and spiritual, career, money, emotions, dreams; it all had to be covered.
When I hung up the phone, I was both comforted and sad. Comforted because I knew he was ok and because he called home. One of my fears when he left was that I would almost never hear from him (he has always been very independent). And I was sad because, as I looked back, I saw how much time I had wasted.
When children are young, we are tired. At least I am. There is so much to do and seemingly no time to do it. Meals, laundry and ministry all pull at time. I can easily identify times when I have put my children off in order to ‘catch my breath’ or have a little bit of ‘me time’.
Although I still have four children at home, the one who has gone is teaching me lots of lessons. One of the biggest lessons is time.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
I know that now is the time for our son to be at university. I know that he has sought God’s will for his life. I also know that the children still at home will one day soon be seeking the same direction. Before it even seems possible, all of these children will be adults and then 48 minutes and 12 seconds will seem like a gift!
Today, when you are wondering if you will ever make it through this stage consider this: there are 1440 minutes in a day and 10080 minutes in a week. If I spoke to him for 48 minutes and 12 seconds then we spent only 0.00476190476% of our week together! Ouch!
Today, when you are wishing for more hours in the day so that you can get more done, consider the value of what you are doing and ask yourself what percentage of your time is being invested in what is most important. Make the most of every opportunity and cherish every moment.
Psalm 127:3
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.