Time is defined as “the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues. Time is measured in terms of events which succeed one another from the past through the present to the future.” Ultimately, time goes on and is the duration from which all things happen.
As I go back in time over six months ago, I was a substitute teacher getting up at 5:30 am preparing for the day as a reading intervention specialist. My day was consumed with blocks of time dedicated to helping young students learn to read and to enhance their reading comprehension. I was constantly looking at my watch to determine when I needed to finish up with one group of students and prepare for the next group. Time was essential, I needed to be on time to pick up students for their reading intervention. If I was too early, I had to wait, (wasting time), if I was late in returning the students to their class, they would have to catch up with their workload. Time marches on, it doesn’t wait for you, you have to keep up with it!
“God will bring judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.”
Ecclesiastes 3:17
I recently took the time off challenge. I put my watch aside and didn’t care what time it was. I turned off the morning alarm and waited for the sun to shine through the window, alerting me that a new day had begun. There were moments that I would look down at my wrist checking the time only to discover that I wasn’t wearing a watch. Time didn’t have the same control over my life as it did before. Perhaps you can challenge yourself today and take off your watch or refrain from looking at whatever device you use to tell time and live in the moment.
Don’t allow time to confine your existence for no matter how hard you try, you can’t control the clock. Seconds move quickly, minutes pass by and hours can seem as if they last forever, and yet mornings turn into afternoons, days turn into weeks, and before you know it, years have passed you by. And yet, in the end, time rules all….
The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for everything.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die, A time to plant and a time to uproot, A time to kill and a time to heal, A time to tear down and a time to build, A time to weep and a time to laugh, A time to mourn and a time to dance, A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, A time to embrace and a time to refrain, A time to search and a time to give up, A time to keep and a time to throw away, A time to tear and a time to mend, A time to be silent and a time to speak, A time to love and a time to hate, A time for war and a time for peace…. He had made everything beautiful in its time.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
So often we find ourselves planning for our days, the week ahead, and even months in advance, and yet just as we make plans, our lives change, time presses on but events and circumstances are out of our control.
James, asks us to ponder the question, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?” He further states this very sober obvious state of our lives, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:13-14) Therefore let us spend our time here on this earth wisely and with great discernment. Let time be your guide, not your burden.
Use your time wisely, making the most of every opportunity. (Ephesians 5: 15-17) Our time on earth may be limited but our time in eternity is infinite. We need to keep in mind though, that the way we use our time on earth will ultimately decide our time in eternity. We say then with full confidence, “I trust in you, O Lord; You are my God. My times are in your hands….” (Psalm 31:14-15)
Allow God to guide you in using your time with purpose, conviction, and confidence that there is a season for everything and His time is just right.
This poem is found in the Words with Wings, A Treasury of African-American Poetry and Art. It’s a beautifully illustrated book filled with poems selected by Belinda Rochelle. She writes, “Each poem and work of art was selected because it inspires our own creative energy. Each was chosen to give wings to your creativity.”
I love the title of this book, Words with WIngs, it creates such a beautiful picture of words flying off the page and flowing out into the universe. Words have power, “Black lives matter.!” Words take on new meanings “gender equality.” Words display emotions, “No justice, no peace!” Through poetry, words express feelings, ideas, and a thoughtful consciousness that can evoke change.
The words of this particular poem seem to describe how many of us view our own little world. We keep things close to us, never wanting to branch out too far and yet when the time is just right, we realize that there is this whole, great big world out there just waiting to be discovered.
Perhaps you may be finding yourself in this place of exploration, where you are just about ready to take flight. Don’t let the winds of change stop you from reaching your highest goals. Change happens, and sometimes we just have to flow with the winds and see where we land.
And yet, sometimes it takes a great deal of courage to break free from the strongholds that want to keep us from moving forward and spread your wings and take off.
Be on Guard and Stand Firm in Faith
The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” We are told to be on our guard, be watchful. Why do you think we are told to be on our “guard?” Perhaps it is because if we let down our guard, we can fall into an unhealthy pattern of behavior. We become weak and insecure. Our faith wavers and those strongholds of discouragement take hold and will not let go.
It takes an amazing amount of courage to take that leap of faith, soar off into the unknown and fly with ease. Knowing that God is with you, He gives you strength and courage to do the hard things that you never thought possible.
“I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Where do you find yourself today, held up in the corners of your world, or ready to spread your wings and soar? Wherever you are, know that you are not alone, the God of all creation is waiting for you. Step out, no turning back, be at peace, and along the journey remember whatever you do, do it with love, and spread your wings.
If you are looking for more inspiration take a look at the other free resources available.
When our children were in elementary school I began participating in a program called, “Academic Volunteers”. The goal of the program was to include members of the community in the educational process of children attending school by volunteering to assist teachers in the classroom.
On one particular day I was volunteering in a 3rd grade class, I worked with several students on a math worksheet, then assisted several other students with their “word work”, which was basically helping them to sort their words into known sounds. As I was walking to my next class I noticed a young 3rd grade boy sitting outside his classroom. I could tell by his posture that he was struggling with his assignment, so I asked him if he needed any help.
With a big smile on his face, he said, “Sure, I could use some help, my teacher sent me outside of the class because I didn’t finish my homework. I just didn’t understand what to do, so I didn’t finish it.” I grabbed a chair and sat beside him for a few minutes. Together we read the instructions and then began to tackle the math problems. To be honest, I’m not exactly a math wizard, and the “new math” at the time was not something I was not used to dealing with, but we gave it a good effort and by the time his math class was over, we were able to complete the assignment. He was so grateful that he could go back to class with his completed homework, he said a heartfelt, “thank you.”
As I continued to volunteer at the school, I would notice him out in the hallway quite often. Of course each time I saw him, I would stop by and check to see if he needed help and would spend just a few minutes guiding him back to his assignment and keeping him focused on the task at hand. He was always so easy to talk with and just seemed to need a comforting voice to encourage him.
On occasion we would see each other out shopping at the grocery store and he would be so delighted to see me. Just seeing the smile on his face made all the difference in the world. Something so simple as taking the time to ask, listen and make a difference in someone’s life, perhaps that’s worth so much more than we give it credit.
As the years went by, our paths would continue to cross. One day I was walking through our neighborhood and I saw a car with two people inside slowing down as it came close to where I was walking. The car stopped and the driver rolled down the window, it was the same little boy I had worked with years ago, but now he was so excited, he called out, “Hey, I’m getting my driver’s license soon, I’m practicing driving.” It was so wonderful to see him and to see what progress he had made in his life. One simple act of kindness had made an impact on his life, and mine too.
A few years later we would see each other again, he was graduating from high school and was preparing to go to college. Wow, from this little boy who struggled with his elementary school homework, to this amazing young man heading off to college, he was growing up. He shared with me his dream of a career in the government and was looking forward to attending a local college in the fall. My heart beamed with pride for him.
Four years later, we would see each other again and he told me that he would be graduating from college soon. In addition, he had secured an internship with the United States Air Force that would be starting after his graduation. He had made his dream come true!
A simple act of kindness, asking someone if they need help. You never know what lasting impact your kindness will have on someone. I don’t know if I will ever see this young man again, but I know that he will make a difference in this world, he will take the time to ask, listen and make a difference in someone’s life because someone did that for him.
Never think that you cannot make a difference, it doesn’t take a lot to do something extra, it does however take a thought. Take a moment today to recognize how you can make a difference, in your own home, in your community, and in your world.
Hebrews 13:1-2 commands us to “Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
I wake up each day hoping that this will be the day that the pandemic has been wiped out, we’ve been set free and we can go about our normal routine again, and yet today is not the day. The word “normal” has been replaced with “new normal” whatever that may be, we are simply in a state of “unknown uncertainty”.
What we do know however, is that God is with us, He is certainly in control of what is happening and His love will prevail. If we will just take a moment, we can see the “good” in people, His light shining through others in this dark time. Think of something that you have either seen on social media, read about in the news, or perhaps participated in yourself that shows kindness, caring, and compassionate people serving others. God’s love is still being shared among His people.
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I wanted to share with you a special verse I have printed on a small card that I place where I can see it every morning. It is a reminder that “today” is all I have and “today” I will remember that God is with me.
“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
“Today may you be atpeace, Knowing that you are exactly where you Need to be, and have everything you Need to fulfill God’s purpose for you.
Today may you believe That you are God’s precious child In whom He is well pleased.
Today may you feel the love Shining through all of creation From the beginning of time Till the end of eternity.
Today may you trust That all is well, And you are safe within God’s arms…
Forever” Peace be with you today and always, Amen!
“I tried to teach my child with books, He only gave me puzzled looks I tried to teach my child with words, They passed him by often unheard Despairingly I turned aside, “How shall I teach this child?” I cried Into my hand he placed the key, “Come” he said, “And play with me.” Anonymous
Perhaps the poem above best describes the last few months for many parents who were dealing with “homeschooling” their child. The “puzzled looks”, the “unheard” words, all made for long days of frustration and exhaustion and yet sometimes the best way for a parent to “teach” their child through playing.
As the weather turns warmer and summer returns, spend some time playing outside with your child. Play, such a simple and inexpensive thing to do with your child but one that reaps many rewards.
The word play is defined as engaging in an activity for enjoyment and recreation. Play is any activity that is done by a child for the pure joy of it and having fun!
When was the last time you actually had fun playing with your child? This does not include playing a video game or playing some sort of game on an electronic device. No this means going outside or staying inside if necessary, and creating a game just for the fun of it. Playing hide and go seek, or making a tent out of blankets, building with blocks or Legos. Any activity that brings you and your child joy just for the pure enjoyment of it can be such a special bonding time.
Play teaches your child many important life lessons
Play teaches your child many important life lessons, for instance when you play a game, you have to take turns, be cooperative, and sometimes playing requires strategies. There are other times when play is simply just having fun, like sliding down the slide, building a sandcastle in the sandbox or swinging on the playground. (As our current conditions allow, be safe at the playgrounds).
One of our children’s favorite activities to do in the summer was to play badminton. We would set up our net in the backyard. Then with racquets in hand, we would start out seeing how many times we could keep the birdie going back and forth across the net. Then as the birdie got higher and higher up in the sky it became a battle of the arms to see who could hit the birdie the highest. Next, the laughter would begin as we struggled to even see the birdie, much less hit it over the net. Just having fun and hearing your child laugh, that’s what makes spending time with your child so fantastic.
Depending on how competitive a person you are, play can be a little tricky, but when you play with your children, there are always winners. It is a win/win situation. Parents win by spending time with their children and children win by spending time with their parents.
There is a lyric to a children’s song that says, “Let the children be children, it’s ok to be a kid for awhile, let the children be children, please make it last.” It really is ok to be a child for a while, as we all know children grow up way too quickly, savor each precious moment.
Jesus even commands us to become like children in order to enter into the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16-17 says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Try to remember what it was like to have no worries about bills, stress at work, house payments, car insurance, etc. and just be at peace with the world and have fun, go out and play. Throw a Frisbee, play croquet, toss a football, kick a soccer ball, jump rope, skip around the block, do something fun that will make you and your child laugh. It will be such a blessing to you and your family. A joyful heart really is good medicine!
