This week the focus in Adventure Kidz is putting others first by giving them our time, what we seem to have so little of.
My grandmother was a woman on the go - constantly! She ran her household, had a job to provide an income, and was pastor of a church and a congregation of people that extended outside the walls of her church. I never knew her to be anything but on the move, BUT she always had time for me and for others. When I look back over the years, I don't recall that she said to me, "I don't have time." That doesn't mean she dropped everything to play with me or give into my every childish demand, but I do remember being with her as she did her work, ran her errands, and ministered to others - which is how she spent almost all of her time.
Perhaps the greatest gift she gave me was time because during those moments I was learning from her how to be like Jesus. She certainly wasn't perfect (there wasn't a speed limit she couldn't break!), and she didn't preach at me or to me. She was simply living life, the one she was called to live, and the example she set for me and for thousands of others has left an indelible imprint for all eternity.
Grandma wasn't Superwoman. I know now what I didn't know then - she drew her strength from the time she spent with her Heavenly Father. Taking the time to know Him gave her what she needed in all situations. She developed big, bold faith as she walked intimately with Him daily. She wasn't wealthy, she didn't buy me lots of stuff, but she gave me a gift that has outlasted her life - she gave me a portrait of Jesus.
In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus is visiting with his dear friends, Mary and Martha. Martha is so me - busy, busy, busy. She is intent on making sure that the house was clean, the meal prepared, the table set, the guests satisfied, and she is doing it all alone because her sister Mary is hanging out with Jesus! Martha finally blows a fuse (at least that's how I see it because it's what I have done) and tells Jesus he ought to encourage Mary to get up and help! Jesus' response isn't what Martha expected. He tells Martha to "chill" (okay, my words again). Jesus realizes that Martha is concerned with so much busywork that she doesn't take the time to spend with Him, getting to know Him, allowing His words to strengthen her and ease her spirit, resting in Him.
Jesus wasn't encouraging Martha to not take care of business, but He was telling her that she needed to get her priorities straight. Once she did that, all the other stuff would get taken care of (see Matthew 6:25-34 and I Peter 5:7). Martha, like so many of us, needed to put her time with Him first, not out of a sense of obligation, but out of love for Him. If we choose to seek Him first, He promises to honor that commitment by taking care of all of our needs.
As parents we are busy. Much of the busyness goes beyond what we do to earn a living to include the many things we do for our children and to keep the household operating. And, we do all these things because we love our kids and want to provide the best for them. I know from experience that the hours in the day don't seem enough and that we can run ourselves ragged, to coin a phrase my mom uses.
Our Heavenly Father's parenting agenda is even more time-intensive than ours. He is constantly attending to us. He knows our needs, provides for us, protects us, guides us with His wisdom, encourages us, corrects and disciplines us, strengthens us, and the list of His gifts to us goes on and on and on. He has all the time in the world for us because He loves us. But He wants our attention and our time so He can bless us with those gifts. We must choose to put spending time with Him first so that He can provide for all our needs.
I suspect that if we will take the time each day to place our "cares" in His hands and to allow Him to speak to us, He will provide all we need to accomplish what's important. And just as our Heavenly Father spends time with us, let's make sure that we are spending time with our children - not in big "extravaganzas" but in the every day routines. During this time, they will learn from us how to put God and others first and how to become fully devoted followers of Christ. Timing is everything!
Heavenly Father, Your word promises that if we will seek first your kingdom and your righteousness that all our needs - all of them - will be taken care of. You have taught us to love You and love others, and this kind of love takes time.
Please help us to put You first and trust that You will smooth out the rough patches in the day so we can get things done. And when things stay stressful, please help us to seek Your peace and know that You are working everything out. Lord, give us rest and strength.
Provide us wisdom as we spend time with our children. Help us to be a dynamic, living example of You to them. As a result of their time with us, let them know You better.
Thank you for always having time for us, Father.
