i don't have time

So what's one of my favorite excuses?

I don't have time... I'm too busy.

I don't have time and I am too busy, that's the truth. (Whose fault is that?) Full-time and part-time jobs, helping aging parents, training for a half-marathon, hobbies, volunteering, - oh, did I mention a husband in there somewhere?!

Yesterday this refrain echoed in my head throughout the day, a day when my husband and I took time that we didn't have and spent it in support of old friends - well-loved friends that we too seldom see.

Three hours there.

I don't have time for the northbound freeway on-ramp to be closed because of the construction that is ruining traffic flow in our small town this summer. I don't have time for the seven-minute detour back and around to get to the next on-ramp.


I don't have time for the teenage dance team members in front of me at Starbucks, where we stopped to get coffee and switch drivers. (They let us go ahead while they decided.)

Three hours with them.

We walked into the church, and first spotted Jon, handsome Marine, my former piano student and garden helper. He saw us and came to greet us. Next, his brother Eric - who we affectionately tease about being a gangsta with his tattoos. We made our way to his sister Anne, aka Runnergirl. And then to our friends, Keith and Patty.

Earlier this week, Keith's mom passed from death into life, as the song refrain goes. (Not entirely correct theologically; her eternal life here transitioned into her new home in heaven - the place prepared for her, a place where she was welcomed by her beloved Savior.)

Shepherd me, O God

Patty wrote earlier this week,

Back home in the quiet of my house, I reflect on memories....one comes to my mind, that says so much about who Mom was while she walked this earth. I remember a time many years ago, I don't even remember where we were, but what I do recall is that there was a man sitting all by himself. It wasn't someone we knew, but Mom couldn't have this person looking lonely so she went over and started chatting with him. Being the snit I was I said to her "Mom.....maybe that person wants to be left alone...maybe he doesn't want anyone talking to him." She looked at me like I'd just grown two heads! The thought of someone wanting to be alone would never cross her mind. What crossed her mind was that she wanted to make someone else feel cared for. I never forgot that exchange. Thankfully I've matured a little since then and have also had a great role model to help me learn to think of others more often!

The funeral celebrated a life that was spent building - building a family,a community, a life that honored God. Another remembrance posted by Patty,

As we stood by Mom's casket this evening, my heart was moved by a statement our daughter [Julia] made. "You know, Grandma didn't travel across the world as a missionary,but she made a difference in all of the lives around her." Such a true statement... I believe that totally sums up the gospel's greatest commandment, "love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself." Thank you Mama for living it out for all of us to learn from.

As we circled her casket in the columbarium, the sun streamed in, lighting the colorful funeral spray. We sang. How Great Thou Art. Amazing Grace. A bird-chirp punctuated the priest's prayer for comfort.

Three hours back.

I don't have time for this ridiculous freeway tie-up. Seriously, thirty minutes to go three miles? I can run faster than that!

Immediately upon pulling into our driveway at home, our very chatty neighbor walked up. I don't have time for this. I actually said to my husband, "Oh, do we have to do this now?!"

And as if to prove that I do have time... my neighbor and his wife wanted to show me the work they had done in my front garden left woefully untended this spring because I don't have time. Weeded and cleared, ready for mulch.

Reality check.

I don't not have time.

To love God, to love people - those matter most.

I have nothing but time for that.