Most of our local school districts welcomed students back a few days ago. A few more districts will begin school in a few days. Traditionally, as we point towards the start of school, most parents and kids plan for the “back to school shopping trip.” Sometimes these trips and purchases are costly because of what is needed for instruction. Additionally, a financial strain is placed on parents that is challenging and burdensome (that’s another article). We have been privileged to be parents to two great kids! For almost twenty years, we, like most parents, would plan and look to the impending “first day of school.” An assessment would be made of clothes (all in accordance with school dress code of course), shoes, and pens/pencils/notebooks/folders, etc. Once an inventory was taken, the fun would begin at malls, stores, and my favorite, the “office supply” store.
A few days ago, Amy and I were having our monthly meeting to discuss our family schedule along with discussing our “kitchen table budgeting” when we both realized we would not be “school shopping” again this year. I kind of stared off and whispered under my breath, “I am not school shopping this year.” As small as it may seem, we both got a little “teary eyed” for a minute. Why? We know life is full of milestones. It hit both of us that we just crossed over another milestone. Meaning, our kids were, on paper, adults and the proverbial school preparation trip would not be taking place. Some would say, “Why are you sad?” The short answer is this, life is short and goes by in a blink of an eye! That statement or idea is not new to anyone. In the moment of life, we are rushed, flustered, or think how slow everything is moving. Only to realize, moments in time soon become historical events.
We are reminded to slow down and take “time” to focus on what’s most important. Mark Twain said this about the importance of time, “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” Twain was saying in so many words, it takes us about the same amount of time to write a letter to convey thoughts, regardless of length. The important part of the exercise is not content, but connection. How can we focus on spiritual growth, increased time with family, and the strongest relationship we can have with Jesus? It starts with stewardship. Typically, when we hear the word “stewardship,” we quickly think of money or financial resources. But, if we desire to redeem our time (Ephesians 5:16) in an effort to be better equipped spiritually & scripturally and relationally, we realize how we spend our time has a direct correlation on the quality of our relationships. Everything belongs to God, this should help us with our priorities:
· We came into the world with nothing. I Timothy 6:7
· Everything belongs to God. I Corinthians 10:26
· Our possessions are not our own. Acts 4:32
· We are God’s stewards. Matthew 16:24-26
· Let’s use our talents now! Matthew 25:14-30
It’s okay to be a little emotional with the passing of time or the achievement of milestones. May our emotion be the result of thankfulness, and not regret!
