A Little Goes a Long Way: 7 Days to a Significant LifeParaugs

A Little Time

I dropped my son, Will, off at school one morning, and because of extracurricular activities, he was gone until late in the evening. By the time he returned home, it had been 13 hours since I’d seen him. Every day is not this way, but he’s growing up, and more and more, this routine is becoming our new norm.

Not so long ago, he was always with me. First in my womb and then in my arms. As he grew, that shifted to my lap, and when he was too big for that, we still held hands. We ate meals together, played together, ran errands together, and when I was really tired, we napped together.

I admit that on many days in those early years of motherhood, I longed for a break from the constant togetherness. I craved time for myself without a little one always needing something from me.

Now, I long to have that kind of togetherness back again. Thankfully, even though our relationship is changing, on most days, he walks through the door, greets me with a hug, and sits down to talk. Despite the recent scarcity of our time together, our love has remained close. For that, I’m so grateful.

In my heart of hearts, I know Will will never stop needing me. Maybe not as much as he once did, but I have a lot of mothering yet to do and so much love still to give.

And so, while we are together, I make the most of our time and commit to being more intentional. The car rides, ball games, homework, movie nights, church services, and family trips are more sacred now—especially now that I realize how quickly this motherhood journey is passing by.

How ironic all those days I wished away are the same ones I wish to have back. I pray I remember this lesson in the current and coming seasons. Before long, Will will be out of the house altogether, and I’ll see him even less. But I trust there will be beauty in that season as well, as there has been in every one to date. There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1), and whatever season it is, I want to steward my time well as a mother, wife, daughter, and friend. I have no doubt the same is true of you.

The apostle James says, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). Psalm 90 shares something similar when the psalmist reminds us that a thousand years are like a day to the Lord. Realizing our days are numbered helps us to steward the little time we have wisely and for eternal good. If we have something important we want to do, we must not put it off for a better day. Because life is short, we shouldn’t neglect what is truly important. Time is but a vapor, and we can’t get it back.

Your Little Task

Ask God to reveal the value of the moments in your life. Make space to intentionally focus on these moments and cherish each one.

Prayer Prompt

Lord, help me to be intentional with the time you have given me. Forgive me for wishing my days away. Please show me where I am wasting my time and where I need to devote it. Lead me to spend my time in ways that have eternal value. Amen.