I'm Not Sure I Have Time For This

It's been one of those weeks - and it's only Wednesday. You probably know the kind. The kind of week when it seems it's one thing after another. The kind of week when every grocery store line I picked was the longest, when my computer and printer decided to declare who was the boss (and it wasn't me), and when the dog somehow found and destroyed a collection of dirty underwear. She truly is a non-discriminatory underwear eater - she enjoys them all.

My mind reverberated with the words, "I don't have time for this!" But that wasn't all, it actually started last week when a son (who shall remain nameless) started scratching his head.

No biggie. I scratch my head sometimes. He then went on a jazz band overnight trip and came home scratching more diligently. The weekend was busy as we were readying my husband to leave for Africa on Tuesday, but I did manage to find some dandruff shampoo to give him. It didn't work. By Saturday night he was physically miserable. He was itching all over, and even had a rash on his upper body.

Of course my mind thought "lice" last week, but I disregarded it. After all, how could MY son get lice. (Ooooo, pride is a bad thing) By Sunday I was searching the Internet for symptoms. Armed with photos and descriptions, I was like a drill sergeant inspecting the troops. I didn't see any of the wee beasties, but I did find some suspicious white things. A Monday morning stop by the school nurse confirmed my suspicions, and my son and I went back home to attack the hitchhikers on his head.

Let's just say I hope you never have to deal with this issue. It is very time consuming. Not only did we have to go buy the treatment, then administer the treatment, but we had to wash EVERYTHING he might have touched. His stuffed animals have never been so clean.

I did not have time for bugs!

Then today I caught myself and my selfish attitude when I almost didn't make an important phone call. I thought about making the call but then I automatically thought the same thing I've thought all week: "I don't have time for this." The phone call was to a family member who had lost someone we all loved dearly. I almost rationalized not calling because my mom, sister and I sent a plant, and I had a card.

Thankfully God convicted me before the thought had time to cool in my mind, and I picked up the phone. Unfortunately it seems I often struggle with my time. I find it difficult to balance running a home and a business, mothering five children, supporting my husband's work and calling,working for a ministry, volunteering at church and writing. There are days when I don't do any of it very well and get very stressed out about my lack of accomplishment.

But then God reminds of a very important truth - just like He did this morning. I may not have time for everything, but I need to make time for somethings. My pastor once said, "Only two things on this earth last eternally: God's Word and people."

I guess I need to re-evaluate a successful day, and put a check on my thoughts. If an interruption involves people, then perhaps it's not all bad. Maybe God is opening the door for me to love someone who is having a week just like mine - or worse. I sure have time for that.

In His Love,

Glynnis

This devotion is dedicated to my aunt Peggy Benson who went home to be with the Lord last week. Peggy was dearly loved by all of us. She was a model wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. She had a kind and gentle spirit, and yet had an inner core of strength that brought peace and comfort to those around her. She was my father's older sister, and together with their brother John they were raised by a widowed mother in Utica, New York in the Welsh part of town. Aunt Peggy will be sorely missed.