Time is A Possession
We work, we slave, we spend years in meaningless jobs working late, on the weekends, and we try to convince ourselves it’s because we have to in order to survive. It’s true we have to work in order to provide our families with necessities like food and clothing. But, is all the extra hours and time spent away from our families truly necessary? Are we sure we’re not working those extra hours just so we can afford that new big screen TV or some other materialistic possession we think we need.
Economic times are hard right now. They may get even worse before they get better, if they do. Every weekend I ride down the road and I see more and more cars setting in people’s front yards with for sale signs on them. Neighborhoods filled to over flowing with garage sells and yard sales giving away possessions for next to nothing because their hours have been cut or they’ve lost their job.
It started me wondering. Just how much of what we have can we really live without? What do our possessions really add to our lives? Oh, it’s great to have all the latest technical gadgets and spas, and swimming pools, and the mountain of other items that we cherish, but at what cost.
Instead of working 60 hours a week, could we provide our family with the necessities on 40-hours a week? That’s 20 extra hours a week to spend with those you love. Have you ever sat down and asked your family if they would be willing to forgo some of the material things for extra time together? You may be surprised at the answer. Especially if you have young children. We can learn a lot from kids, if we actually took the time to ask and really listen to them.
When was the last time you sat in the yard, had a tall glass of lemonade, and watched your kids playing kickball or a game of tag? When was the last time you actually rolled in the grass with them giggling, kicking, and just acting silly? Do you remember the last time you and your spouse took a leisurely walk through the park holding hands just enjoying each other’s company?
Time is a precious possession and I fear we may be squandering it away on the wrong things. There are no guarantees in life. There may not be a tomorrow for yourself or your wife, or your child. Will you stand over the casket of a loved one and think to yourself, if only I had taken the time to go to Bobby’s last baseball game or left the office early and had that romantic evening with my wife, but no, I had to work.
It’s a new year and we have no idea what the future may hold. Today is all that we can control. Is it perhaps time you prioritized what’s most important in your life? Do you honestly have to take that weekend business flight or do you only have to take it to impress the boss, or get a promotion. So you’ll miss Susie’s piano recital, “There’ll be another one,” you say. Will there? Maybe, but maybe not.
Time is indeed a possession and I hope that 2009 will allow you amble time to spend on what is most important in your life. For some it will be work, for others material possessions, but time with those we loved cannot be replaced.
There is a time; there is a place for all things. I hope time with loved ones will be at the top of your list of priorities for 2009.
May God Bless.
Granny
