The Gift of Time

By Charla Misse

When my husband and son ask me what I want for a present, beignets and a bike ride are always at the top of my list. I don’t really want things from them; what I really want is to spend time with them.

When my son was 3, he and I gave my father a homemade coupon for a trip to Brocato’s. My son enjoyed the sweet treats, of course, but was most interested in sitting on Grandpa’s lap behind the wheel and “driving” his (parked) car just outside the parlor.

With my son now 10, I still remember that as one of my favorite Christmas gifts.

Of course, heartfelt offerings of material gifts can be deeply appreciated, much enjoyed and even greatly needed. The gift of time, however, offers immeasurable and lasting value.

So, as the Christmas season ends, and we begin to ponder the earthly ministry of Christ, I am thinking about the precious gift of time each of us has on earth. Might we give our loving God something that he really wants: our time and attention on earth?

Because this can be hard with the constant sights and sounds around us, the streaming distractions and demands of our day, let us purposefully seek a quiet place and time to be with him.

Let us give our Lord some of our time every day on earth, for he has offered every one of us the gift of eternity with him in heaven.