The Hours He Had Left
All four of my grandgirls are in “big school” now, leaving little Jack as the lone preschooler. I don’t get to spend much one-on-one time with my little buddy so when the opportunity for a Milly Day with just the two of us came up, it was an easy “yes.”
We did some fun stuff around the house. He was pretty proud of the garage he made with cardboard boxes, a Sharpie, and some binder clips. Then he dreamed up a cool contraption with a set of gears and a flat board. But the highlight of his morning was when we headed over to one of his favorite play places – Play Street Museum.
There were so many options! Jack and I played a simple table game. We worked a puzzle. We played with sturdy wooden trucks and built a castle out of magnetic blocks. We used interchangeable heads, feet, and bodies to piece together silly unicorns and dragons. His little imagination ran wild, and so did he!
But of course, all good things must come to an end. I gave Jack the five-minute warning to squeeze in his favorite activities. He dropped what he was doing and hurried over to another area to play. He knew exactly how he wanted to spend those precious last minutes! Then we grabbed a snack and headed for the house.
Jack knew what he wanted to do with the time he had left. Having had a landmark birthday last year, my thoughts travel often to the time I have left. I give more consideration to the things I commit to. I’m a little more guarded about the ways I spend my free time. I think about how I can love my people better.
A couple of days before Resurrection Sunday, Scott and I got to teach our pre-K friends at church about what Jesus did when He knew His time on earth was running out. John 13:1-17 tells the story of what He did with the hours He had left.
The end of verse one says, “…He (Jesus) loved them (His followers) to the end.” This verse challenges me – am I loving well the people God has put in my life? They say love is spelled “t-i-m-e.” Am I expressing my love by what I allow onto my calendar and schedule?
Jesus, having come from God, knows that He’s about to return to God. He also knows that He’s about to face great suffering. He’s comforted to know what’s on the other side – His welcome back home into heaven. Knowing what’s on the other side, am I a living invitation to the hope of eternity with the Father? I can live out my life – complete with trials and challenges - with true peace and joy, knowing that as God’s child, the best is yet to come!
The King of the Universe then does something shocking. He rises from the table, removes His outer garment, wraps a towel around His waist, and washes off the muck and nastiness from each of His disciples’ feet – including those of His betrayer. A lowly undertaking by the One soon to sit down at the right hand of the throne of God. The disciples are indignant, but Jesus – ever the Teacher – explains that this is the way of His students. They are to humbly serve all people – even their enemies. My most frequent and fervent prayer request is for godly stewardship of my time. Am I using the days, hours, and moments granted to me by God in humble, willing service?
Finally, John 17 – Jesus prays for His people – for us. He’s ready to complete His earthly mission. Now He turns to prayer. He asks the Father for our protection, the “full measure of (His) joy” (John 17:13), our sanctification, our purpose, and the increase of the fellowship of the believers. Prayer – the final gift before His ultimate gift. In this world so full of distractions and noise, I must not neglect to “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16) on behalf of those I love and care about.
I’m grateful that I don’t have to flounder about in the years (God willing) I have left. My sweet Jesus has left me a simple path to follow that provides purpose and fulfillment. May I spend my days loving well, anticipating eternity with Him, humbly serving others, and praying without ceasing. That should keep my hands busy and my heart happy until I’m finally home!
