It All Happened So Fast
A snail crossing the road was run over by a turtle. Regaining consciousness in the emergency room, he was asked what caused the accident. “I really can’t remember,” the snail answered, “You see, it all happened so fast.” We laugh because turtles and snails aren’t known for their speed. However, speed is rather relative. To a snail, a turtle is probably like a gazelle.
How fast is your life moving? Doesn’t it seem like it is moving at breakneck speed? Just yesterday, it seems, we were graduating, getting married, or expecting a baby. Today, we are at the halfway point of our careers, we have been married for 20 + years, and our children are preteens or teens. If we are not careful, we will look back one day and wonder what happened.
We need to slow down and take stock of what is really important. I believe that this is especially true when it comes to our children. I have known countless parents who looked back and wondered what happened to their children. For sure, there are no guarantees in raising children. Once children reach adulthood, they make their own choices, and they may not make the right choices, no matter how they have been taught. However, it is easy in our fast-paced world to let the years roll by without giving our children what they really need.
We need to redeem the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). We need to walk wisely, not run foolishly (Colossians 4:5). There is more to raising children than putting a roof over their heads, clothes on their back, and food in their bellies. There is more to parenting than getting them fed and in bed. They need time and teaching (Deuteronomy 6:6-9), discipline and direction (Proverbs 19:18; Ephesians 6:1-4) and affection (Titus 2:4).
One day, how much time we spent at the office will not matter nearly as much as how much time we spent with our children. Nor, for that matter, will it compensate us as well. I have never heard a single person say, “I wish I had spent more time at the office.” However, I have heard many say, “I wish I had spent more time at home.”
…via bulletin of the Park Avenue church of Christ Charleston, WV