By Benescke Janse van Rensburg
A while ago I was extremely busy. I had a deadline looming. In the midst of this, a colleague of mine walked past my desk with an 80-year-old man who came to visit the radio station I work for. She had to show him around and decided to introduce him to me.
Initially I was courteous. I listened to his stories and responded politely. Oom Sakkie, however, talked and talked and talked. Inside of me, I began to struggle. How was I going to stop Oom Sakkie without being impolite? The conversation continued. I already started praying for someone else to pass, when Oom Sakkie said something that took the wind from my sails.
“My wife and I were married for 40 years. We loved each other dearly. Shortly after our 40th wedding anniversary, she was diagnosed with cancer and died days later in my arms.” Tears welled up in Oom Sakkie's eyes. I could sense that he missed her a lot. “One of her greatest gifts to me was time. She was a high-ranking manager at her company, but I could call her anytime. She never made me feel like she was too busy to talk to me. When I was with her, she was always fully present.” Wow!
Time and being present. Is that what you give your loved ones? Or are you too busy on social media or catching up on the latest sports news to really listen when he or she is busy sharing their hearts with you? And what about your relationship with God? Do you quickly run through your regular prayer without really being present? Do you make time to listen and are you present to receive when He speaks back to you?
In James 4:8 we read, "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you." In Hebrews 11:6 we are reminded: “ . . . anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.” And in regards to US acting towards our loved ones, we read in Romans 12:10: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Time and being present. Let us remember this lesson from Oom Sakkie. If the moment is over, it's over. Not one of us can turn back the clock. Yes, completing tasks is important. Deadlines must be met. Still, relationships (with God and our loved ones) must remain the most important asset in our lives. God bless.
Father God, thank you for being present in my life. Help me to focus on You and be present when I speak to You. Also in my relationships with my loved once. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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