Where Did Time Go?

A week ago I published my first blog post in nearly a year. Can you believe we are nearly one-third through 2017? Where did time go? It is insane to think about how quickly time can pass. And also to realize how fast we lose track of why we started. So I have taken the last week to reflect on these things and here’s where I am now.

 

It’s The Remix

A popular pop song comes to mind… “What have you done for me lately? Ooh ooh ooh yea!” Except, I want to switch that around and ask the reverse. What have I done for you lately?

With all the commitments that already take our time–family, work, gym (yes, I work out), friendships, hobbies, outside hustle… the list goes on–life easily becomes all about me. And when you’re single, wink wink, it kind of seems okay to be that way. One day I’ll have a family, and that priority will switch very quickly.

But why do we always keep waiting to change? That’s what I have spent the last week thinking about. I want to do more for others, but does that just mean volunteering a Saturday a month to feed the needy? Honestly, it just sounds to me like adding one more hobby.

 

Just Be Present

Instead, I want to be that volunteer every moment that I can. It means I have to put the phone down, turn off Instagram, and pay attention!

There is so much need around us that it is scary how often we miss it. At one point I thought I would carry extra cash in the car to give to the beggars in the street. Or maybe I would order an extra burrito to have on hand for someone asking for food.

But I realized I was looking too far out. I forgot to look right in my own home. And it was not about writing a big check or signing up for a monthly contribution program to make me feel better. It was about looking at the need around me and realizing that there were small things I could do to lessen their burden.

Put Down the Selfie Stick

Well, because it’s not all about you. I’m learning this day by day and I’m writing it down because somehow in black and white, it’s a more clear reminder that I need to work on that.

It becomes so easy to wake up and run through our to-do list and just worry about ourselves. And if something goes wrong, then we complain and we want to vent. But ain’t nobody got time for that. How about we take the time to hear someone else out? I’m challenging myself to do that: complain less and listen more.

Verses to reflect

“Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers GOD, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors.”

Deuteronomy 15:10-11 MSG

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”

Galatians 6:9-10 MSG