Yesterday I picked up this necklace with Elijah's hand print engraved on it. Today as I wear it and his tiny hand rests on my chest, many thoughts come to mind but they all have a common theme. Time. How much time has passed since I held my son? How many times did I not just sit and hold him or watch him sleep because I didn't have the time? How much time will pass before I'm with him again? Will I always hurt this deeply or will time heal my broken heart? I didn't have enough time with Elijah in this life. Why didn't God give him time to grow up, time for me to teach him new things, time for all of us to watch his personality develop?
All of these thoughts guided me in one direction - to God. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
I'm reminded that only my relationship with God will last forever and if I continually seek Him and crown Him the King of my schedule, my priorities will naturally align with His will. Time on this earth spent serving God can never be too long - I mean, it's great practice for our eternity in heaven! Take the time to know God and his plan for your life. Take time to hold your children. Take time to love your spouse. Take time to call a friend. Take time to make a home-cooked meal. Take time off. Take time to realize the blessings God has given you. Take time to thank Him. Take time to think. Take time to help others. Take time for your life. Take time to pray. Take time to be still and wait for the answer.
