I Need More Time!

Is it just me or does it seem that there is never enough time to do…well, to do anything? It seems I’m always running short on time! I’m always looking at the clock. In fact, I wonder how many times I will look at the clock while writing this post.

They say, “Time flies.” I have to agree! I ask myself all the time, “Where did the time go?”

In June I will turn 33 years old. ME-33! Just for the record I know that 33 is not old. I can already hear my mom saying in the back of my mind, “Rachel, you’re still so young!” BUT I have never been 33 years old before. In fact, I still tend to think I’m 24.

I graduated from high school 15 years ago. Class of 1994. Is that possible? At one time I thought graduation day would never come.

My husband, Alan, and I will celebrate our 5th Anniversary in August. Our son turned 2 years old back in January. Wasn’t it just a few days ago that I sat around wondering if I would ever find “Mr. Right”, let alone have children.

How can Andrew already be over 2 years old? It seems like just the other day that I sat down on my due date and cried because I hadn’t given birth yet. It seems so silly now, but I felt like he would never come. He was born the next day!

Now as I hold Andrew’s dimpled toddler hand in mine I realize that before I know it those soft, little boy hands will be big, tough man hands. And on those rare occasions when he still let’s me rock him, I hold him ever so tightly, rubbing his soft cheek next to mine thinking about how some day those cheeks will have whiskers. I realize more and more that these precious moments are fleeting. I try so hard to soak them in. They fly by none the less.

A couple of weeks ago I found some pictures from our wedding shower that had been stashed away for a while. Alan and I each gasped as we looked at them. It’s only been 5 years since that shower, yet we found ourselves saying as we looked at them, “What happened to us?” The answer: we’ve aged. Time hasn’t stood still for us. And it won’t tomorrow either!

It seems like everything I’ve heard and read lately has been about time. My pastor preached on it, I’ve read it several places including posts by other bloggers like Kathy S and Lysa TerKeurst. At my workplace they play country music. If you listen to country music have you ever noticed how many country songs are written about time?! It’s amazing!

Today I’m asking myself, “What am I going to do with the flying time I have? More importantly, “What is God asking of me?” I don't want to only mature physcially, I want to mature spiritually as well. I want to abide in my Savior so that I can look more and more like Him every day. How can I do that?

I can pray more, study God’s Word more, share my faith more and hold my tongue more often. I can be more patient, less judgmental, more tender-hearted and gentle towards those around me and a better wife and mommy. You get the idea…I want to be more like Jesus! I want to do away with childish things (I Cor 13:11) and be more mature in Christ. It’s right of me to want these things because these are things that all Christians are called to do.

I have made strides in these areas (and others) throughout the past years; even in the last few months. I have matured. But the growth can’t stop here. I have a lot of maturing to do…and that takes time!

There are things God is calling me to do. For years my own doubt, fear and unbelief held me back from many good things God has planned for my life. Just think of all the time I “wasted”! No more!

I don’t want to waste my time chasing after things that don’t please God. Instead I want to be anxious to do the will of God. I have had enough in the past of the evil things godless people do. (Adapted from I Peter 4:2-5)

I want to abide in the Lord and His words so that the desires of my heart will be so closely related to His will for my life that my requests will be granted. So that I will produce much fruit and that it will bring glory to my Father. (Adapted from John 15:7&8)

What’s holding me back from all God has for me? My own disobedience? Fear? Insecurity? Doubt? Lack of discipline? Lack of truly trusting Him?

What's holding you back? Let’s pray about these things. Then, let’s take the appropriate action.
God has good things in story for our future! Let’s stop wasting time! Let's get busy leading lives worthy of our calling for we are all called by God! (See Eph 4:1)

I prayed for you today, my reading friend. :) Please say a prayer for me too.