One of the best ways to say, you matter to me

Mom, can you come with me?” she asked.

It wasn’t easy saying yes, in fact I desperately wanted to say no. All I needed was to be left alone for a while so I could get things done, so I could reach my deadlines, so I could have a sense of peace… But there she was, standing in front of me pleading. “C’mon,” she said, “I don’t like going there alone.”

Technically she wouldn’t be “alone.” There were two cats in the house. All she had to do was cross the street, change the litter box, and pour a little food into their bowls. How difficult could that be?

Pretty simple really, but my daughter’s a lot like me when it comes to going anywhere solo.

She needs a sidekick to remind her she’s not alone in this world.

And some days I need a kick in the side to remind me that family is not an interruption to my otherwise busy life—they are my life.

I remember when I landed my first job. $2.70 an hour gave me just enough spending money to keep up with my friends. It was all about me. I couldn’t spend it fast enough. Clothing, magazines, makeup, pizza… I was a well-stocked sixteen-year-old without a care in the world. Shoes I had, worries—not so much.

With a roof over my head and a well-stocked fridge, I didn’t see the need to contribute. Thankfully, somewhere along the line, maturity and responsibility finally kicked in.

I came to realize that investments are an important part of our lives. Not just the way that we invest our money, but most importantly how we invest our time.

The gift of time is one of the greatest gifts that you can offer your family.

Earlier today I asked my kids, “Do any of you remember what you got for your birthdays last year?”

After some hemming and hawing, I came to the conclusion that, for the most part the gifts were forgotten.

Ask any of them what we did last summer, and they remember the countless moments that we spent together as a family including those things as simple as our late night drives.

Those are the moments that count in this life.

Time spent together is one of the best ways to say, “You matter to me.” It means that we’re willing to put our passion aside for the good of another.

Growing up there was basically one major distraction in our house—the television. Although we watched TV together, many people were concerned that this box was separating the family unit. People were glued to their TV sets and little time was spent
communicating with each other.

Fast forward 30 years and we see a different picture. Whether we’re in the car, on the beach, or at the park, we’re surrounded by technology that’s vying for our attention.

But here’s the thing. It’s not really about technology. That’s merely a sign of our time. What we’re really talking about here are priorities, and the importance of setting them well.

Sometimes priorities are like a warm blanket on a cool night. Like when you set aside a date night with your husband. Other times, it’s more like walking on a bed of nails. Those are the ones that call us to exercise virtue and to walk in compassionate love.

When all you want to do is grab an hour of sleep and you’re up for the fourth night straight with a colicky infant—that’s a gift unlike any other you could possibly give.

So when you’re thinking about gifts this Christmas, and what you can give to your family, don’t overlook the precious value of time.

 If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money. – Abigail Van Buren

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene Schacht
The Time-Warp Wife

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