Time’s Up

On the plane yesterday the flight attendant announced that it was time to power down all electronics while we were about to take off. Of course, we know that this practice will soon be extinct, but yesterday the rule was still in place. Immediately I remembered an important email that had to be sent, couldn’t wait the three plus hours until I had another opportunity. I tried to shoot off a quick note, but had to put my phone away and be all right with waiting.

It’s funny how hard we will work to make time to not need to work. Every year during the holidays, we stress over a list of gifts, food and acts of kindness and as Christmas gets closer, the frenzy becomes stronger. And then suddenly, you have to be okay with wherever you are in your list. Time’s up.

Those first few minutes in the car at the start of a long trip are hard for me; did I remember everything? Are all the details taken care of at the house and at the place we are going? And then suddenly, it really doesn’t matter because you have left the neighborhood and however much was done will have to be enough. Time’s up.

Years ago I was having major surgery, and felt pretty certain it was not going to end well. I wrote letters to my closest friends and family. I loved on my guy and my babies the best I could and cherished every minute I had with them, until it was time to be wheeled into the operating room. Suddenly, it didn’t matter that I wasn’t ready for what could happen. Time’s up.

I wish I didn’t need to have these stopwatch moments in life that force me to really cease and desist. What if we lived more like those final minutes of letting it go, being more okay with where we are and less concerned with where we should be? If I’m honest with myself, there is a feeling of relief when I realize that the time is up, that the ability to improve is no longer an option and I just need to rest in what has been done.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29