Time for God?

You make known to me the path of life; 

in your presence there is fullness of joy; 

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

- Psalm 16:11

Several years ago I was in a conversation with a friend who said, “I realized recently that I have not been as joyful as I used to be. Then while reading Psalm 16 I found out why: I had not been spending enough time in God’s presence.”

What about you? Are you experiencing that inner joy that comes from God or are the cares of this life distracting you from spending time in God’s presence? In Psalm 16 David acknowledged that his life, and well-being for that matter, was totally dependent upon God. God was David’s refuge (Psalm 16:1,2). David also acknowledged that God was the center of his life. David writes, “I have set the LORD always before me” (Psalm 16:8). As a result of making God his refuge and the center of his life, David’s heart was glad and his whole being rejoiced (Psalm 16:9).

Is God your refuge? Is He the center of your life? If so, like David, you will find time and take time to spend time in God’s presence because it is only in His presence that you and I will experience fullness of joy!

A Reminder While On Vacation

I love family vacation! It is always great to get away with family just to rest, relax, and have fun together. Our family recently spent ten days in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We had a lot of fun swimming, riding the waves, collecting sea shells, building sand castles, hunting hermit crabs, eating good food, and just hanging out together. We made a lot of great memories! (see pictures below)

While on vacation, two experiences reminded me just how fast time slips away. The first experience occurred one evening when our family made a short trek to the local outlet mall. While my wife and two oldest daughters went shopping, my two youngest daughters and I went to the toy store to look around. While walking the aisles, tears began to come to my eyes. It seemed just like yesterday that my wife and I were buying toys for our little girls—toys that they are now too old to enjoy.

The second experience occurred that same evening while our family was taking a walk along the beach. I was following behind the girls when I noticed they had stopped for a minute, huddling around something in the sand. As I approached, my youngest daughter, Sarah, was placing her foot in the footprint that my oldest daughter, Haley, had made. Sarah’s foot was almost as big as Haley’s! Although I have noticed that my two youngest, Sarah and Emily, are growing up, this experience confirmed it and came as a surprise of just how big my little girls are getting. 

Reflecting back on these two experiences, two verses come to mind. The first comes from Solomon: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3). God has blessed me with sweet girls. Each one of them are unique and special. They are each a blessing to me and I love them so much. I am learning to treasure them more and more with each passing day.

The second comes from the Apostle Paul, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil'” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Realizing that time is slipping away, as a dad, I must be wise and make the best use of the time I have with my girls. Realizing that the days are evil I must continually take time to teach the truths of God’s Word to my girls, instilling God’s truth in practical ways.

If you are a parent, I believe you would agree that time is slipping away. Your children are growing up fast so don’t miss out on the treasure that God has given you. I challenge you to be wise and make the best use of the time you have with your children. Invest time with them. Build memories with them. Have fun together. Laugh a lot. I also challenge you to instill the Word of God into your child’s life. Whether at the dinner table, at their bedside, riding along in a car together, or even taking a long walk along the seashore, take the time to teach your children the Word of God. Your children need wisdom that only comes from God’s Word to face the many challenges they will face in this life.

Here are a few pictures from our vacation…

“Is It Still Today?”

All of us who have parented a child have special memories of our child asking some rather humorous questions. For example, my daughters, Sarah (4) and Emily (5) often ask, “Is it still today?” Or, when they are getting in their beds to go to sleep they ask, “When we wake up will it be morning?” Or, when looking out the window in the evening when the sky is dark, they ask, “Is it night time?” Our entire family finds these moments very humorous. Emily and Sarah have no concept of time. This is evidenced just about every day. In fact, recently I told Sarah it was time for bed and she said, “But Daddy, we haven’t been able to play today” as if the entire day had disappeared without a trace and somehow they had not got to play. Every day for Sarah and Emily is filled with play and fun. They play hard. One moment they are playing dolls, the next they’re playing school, and the next they’re playing Polly Pockets. Their lives are not controlled by a clock. In fact, a clock means nothing to them. Often you and I look at the clock to determine when it is time to eat, but not Sarah and Emily. Their bellies tell them when they’re hungry! As I said, they have no concept of time. But as Emily Sarah grow up, just like their big sissies, Haley (12) and Lauren (10), they will learn about time. I’m glad that day will come but I will be a little sad when it does because it will mean they're growing up. Gone will be the days of those humorous questions that I looked forward to hearing and yes, even answering!

As we grow up we take on more responsibility. We learn more and the more we learn the more that is expected of us. In Moses’ prayer he asked God to teach him how to do something. Notice what he prays…“Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts” (Psalm 90:12).

You see, as we grow up we begin to realize that life is not all about play. We know we have a schedule to keep. And yes, we know when it is night and that when we wake up it will be morning. We also know that our lives on this earth are only temporary. Knowing all this, it would behoove each one of us to ask God exactly what Moses asked Him. His prayer should become our prayer, “God, teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts!” As we do this, we will discover there is time for us to accomplish everything that God has planned for us—and yes, there will even be time for play and certainly many opportunities to shine the light and love of Jesus!

“Time Is Ticking Away!”

On November 24, 2008, I celebrated 41 years of life on this earth. Wow, as I look back I wonder, “Where has the time gone?” And it seems the older I get the faster the clock ticks on by (perhaps you can relate!). It seems like it was just a couple of weeks ago I was out playing in the woods at my clubhouse with my sister and neighborhood friends. It seems about a week and a half ago I was getting my driver’s license. It seems about a week ago that I graduated from high school. It seems just four days ago I was graduating from college and then only three days ago I was getting married to the best looking young lady in the world—my best friend, Shelley! And it seems like only yesterday that I was holding my newborn babies in my arms. Of course, today Haley is 12, Lauren is 9, Emily is 5, and Sarah is 4.

On January 13, Emily celebrated her 5^th birthday. People who see Emily say she looks too little to be five, and I agree. It seems just like yesterday that our family was in China to pick up Emily. I believe our entire family (except Sarah) recalls that moment when we saw Emily for the first time. She was only two when I held her in my arms for the very first time. Now, three years have passed and that little baby is growing up! Where does the time go?


Time is ticking away! At times I have wondered if time ticks by faster the older you get, but I have come to realize that it does not! The clock keeps on ticking at the same pace and with it, minutes, then hours tick right on by and the years on the calendars keep increasing ever so quickly. Too often we have so much on our plates that we can’t slow down long enough to enjoy the moments we are given by our eternal God!
With the realization that our time is ticking away comes an important reminder...time on this earth is short. James reminds us... For you are a bit of smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes (4:14). We’re here today, but what about tomorrow? No matter our age, may we give serious thought to the brevity of this life and live our lives with eternity in view.

This week may we remember that the lives of those we come into contact with are quickly passing by and because of this reality may we take a God-given opportunity to shine the light and love of Jesus!