Mommyhood - In His Time

Time - I think is relative. A year on earth is different from a year on Mercury, which is different from a year on Venus… When we tell our little ones we will take care of something in just a minute, how often is that minute really five minutes or sometimes even an hour as the day seems to run away from us and we honestly forget that we had said we would do something?

I often find myself remembering that drink of water, or that snack and sometimes-even lunch well after that minute has passed. I am sure kids have a difficult time getting a good sense of time because to us, we say "In a minute," and really mean, "At the first possible moment I can." Right after I transfer the laundry, feed the baby, take care of one of the other kid's owie, or whatever. Then unexpectedly we find we have to take care of something else entirely and soon forget that first request. I am constantly apologizing for being forgetful about one thing or another, but I started thinking about this concept of time and requests or needs being taken care of.

As a mom, I am constantly taking care of needs, usually in the right time sometimes, not. Nevertheless, when my son asks for lunch, I will make lunch when it is time for lunch. (On most days on time-I try; heck life is crazy with three kids and a baby.) However, he knows it is coming and that I will fill that need. But sometimes that "In a minute," means, "After I take care of the laundry." When we pray and ask God for something now, or soon, I know that His "now" and "soon" mean something entirely different from mine. The Bible says in 2 Peter that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. How crazy is that? I find myself praying that God will meet this need or the other and I know that God will meet that need. For example, I prayed for a pink slip to a car when our little car was very much not working anymore. And when we needed the pink slip to a functioning car the most, God gave us a pink slip! Then, when it was time to retire that car I prayed again. And again, God met that need right at the perfect time. And then, again we were growing as a family and we needed a mini van to fit four kids and again, God was faithful to provide the van and money for the minor repairs it needed. And (of course) again, I find myself praying for a need, I really want the answer now but I know it will be soon. Tomorrow? Maybe. Next week? Perhaps. When I need it? Yes.

As God says "Soon." I cannot help but think of when I say "In a minute." Also, I smile when I know that He is so much more faithful than I am at meeting our needs at the perfect time.

2 Peter 3:8 & 9
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Ecclesiastes 3:1
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:"

Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."