When time stands still…
People who know me recognize that I am busy. Most meetings start with thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule, or appreciation for me giving them minutes in a day filled with more critical minutes spent on more essential tasks. These last few days, I have recognized what those words really mean and I the message today is for all that have said that to me in the past, you know who you are. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV) I have one on ones scheduled with not only my direct reports, but also individuals that either reach out or who’s leaders reach out for me to “mentor” them. These one on ones are the highest priority on my calendar only surpassed by senior leaders placing time on my calendar. I don’t have these engagements because I have to, but because I want to. I had two of these meetings late this week and I have not stopped talking about either engagement. These meetings fill my cup as much as theirs. It gives me a chance to pay it forward, to share my lessons learned and in doing so, to learn myself. So for those individuals, you matter more than those busy schedules, you are my critical tasks.
This evening, we had dear friends that traveled all the way from DC to visit with our family. They simply came for a visit because they love my family enough to give of themself. Tonight, I was the recipient of what the sharing of the precious gift of time means to someone who just needs to be heard. As we prepared dinner (that we ate over 1.5 hours later than the scheduled time), it felt like time stood still. We laughed and talked while preparing dinner. Everyone gathered in the kitchen and took part in multiple conversations overlapping each other. Rob and I didn’t feel like we had to “entertain”, it just felt natural. My daughter and I made homemade apple pie (Rob’s mom, Nancy’s recipe), we made tomato pie, squash casserole, barbecue chicken, mango salsa, and we had two additional pies and ice cream to end the meal! The meal prep took hours, the meal itself lasted hours. Our extended “family” also joined us for dinner and the day turned to night. As we sat around the table, Rob asked each of us to go around the table and pray. We held hands as we all prayed, no one hesitating, everyone speaking from the heart. We didn’t rush, but we were present in each and every moment tongiht. In each step of meal prep, in each story shared, in the holding of hands as we prayed, and the over consumption as we had to try each pie-we were present, and time stood still. We didn’t care that dinner was on the table later than planned. We didn’t care that the hours slipped away as we talked about everything from childhood religions, near death experiences, and tattoos!
I love Ecclesiastes and this is just the beginning of some of my favorite versus. There is a time for everything-don’t be so rushed to go to the next thing that you fail to spend the time in the here and now. Time is precious-let it stand still every now and then and just be present in those moments.
I pray that in this long weekend, you take time to be present. I pray you take time to reflect and remember those we have lost. I pray that you take time to make precious memories with loved ones and not shadow your thoughts with worry of what you need to do next-just be present.
I pray these words spoke to you and that you share with a friend. Don’t miss a blog, subscribe to my web page.
