It's Just a Matter of Time

I preplanned taking my watch in for repair while I was in Tulsa last week. My jeweler recognized me, and my watch, though it’s been years since going in to see him. As a matter of time AND fact, 13 years. He keeps good records. This 18 kt gold watch is a treasured possession that my sweetheart gave me on my 50th birthday. He planned that occasion in meticulous ways. First, his quest was to find a watch that would be lasting and meaningful. He found this one in a small jewelry store and had it engraved "Donna, with all my love, Ron '98". It was a "matter of time" and effort to find this special gift for me.

Because this birthday wasn’t just a milestone – but a many-mile-stone, he went to the nth degree of sacrifice and love to make this birthday memory lasting. He made a big deal of that 50th birthday. First, he took me out to dinner and when we made it home, there were many friends and family to surprise me with their love. All these memories flooded my heart when I went into that clock/watch repair store. I've always been a sap for sweet mementos. In fact, I still have the first charm bracelet and charm he gave me on my 13th birthday, the small diamond pendant from my 16th birthday and our love letters to each other.

One of our favorite songs was "Unchained Melody" sung by the Righteous Brothers and the words went like this: "Time goes by so slowly, and time can do so much, are you still mine? I need your love. I need your love. God speed your love to me!" Those words amuse me now, because no longer does time go by slowly. But back when we were engaged – time was as slow as molasses and then after we married, waiting for our baby boy to be born – seemed like forever. But now, goodness gracious, the old saying, “Time flies”, is truer than ever for me.

That’s why I purposely make the most of my time. Writing this daily blog, sending text messages to those I love and those who could use an encouraging word. That’s why I went to Tulsa last week to make my time count with family and friends. And, that’s why I’ll be going to Austin next week to spend precious TIME with my family there!

While that precious, treasured watch is dear to me, I know "It's just a matter of time" that I'll get to go to heaven. I know it will not go with me. No earthly treasures will. But, I am absolutely certain that the TIME I spend on this earth, if I make my TIME count for God, there will be unimaginable treasures that await me. The precious treasures that matter are His kids and if I am spending TIME pursuing them and loving them and showing them the way to heaven, my treasure chest in heaven will be full. It really is "just a matter of time" before we'll be there in all of heaven's splendor and glory -- where REAL TIME only begins.....AND never ends. Let's make this time here count for eternity!

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Valentine's Day -- "Bah Humbug"

I've been very intentional to post a lot of "love" messages this month. You see, February 14th has been a precious day for me since I was 12 years old. Well, maybe even before that when we decorated shoe boxes for receiving Valentine cards from our schoolmates. Up until February 14th, 1961, the cards I received from boys were slim-pickens. But from 1961 until 2010, Valentine's meant the world to me. My Sweetheart and I had our first chaparoned "date" to a church Valentine's banquet on Valentine's Day (ages 12 & 13) and every year since then, we made it "our" special day. This first photo is our first Valentine's together. Notice I was taller than him so I stood on the step below him. He eventually caught up and went past me! LOL! The next photo here is the charm bracelet he gave me the next year on Valentine's Day -- it was our 1-year "first date" anniversary! He saved up his own money to give it to me. I wear it often and count my blessings.

And, here I am, fifty-six years later, on this February 14, 2017. it's been 6 years and 3 months since my Valentine Sweetheart's graduation to heaven. I'm missing him today…incredibly, but I refuse to be sad on this day. It is not a "Bah Humbug" day for me. I've been defeating those thoughts since my sweetheart went to heaven. Rather than being wimpy, I've purposed to be energized, strong and determined. In fact, I decided to embrace this whole month and call it a Month of Love -- focusing my attention on giving out love daily, expressing my appreciation for friends, family and ESPECIALLY, my Father God -- the greatest LOVER of all.

I am NOT going to fall for the "IF ONLY" lie. You know them, "IF ONLY I had a sweetheart or IF ONLY my sweetheart was still here." "IF ONLY" can do quite a number on our hearts. Can I gently remind you of an important truth? A truth that made all the difference to me? If we are God’s children, we are involved in the greatest love story ever created. God created us, knows us inside and out, and loves us from the top of our heads to the tips of our toes. We can celebrate love this year just like everyone else, knowing that we have a deeper understanding than anything that’s advertised or on the shelves in a store.

That’s why I’m determined to replace my "If onlys" with "I ams". I AM loved by God. I AM so thankful for the people I do have in my life. I AM so happy that I love this LOVE season because I can express love to God and others. 1 John 4:19 explains it this way "We love because He first loved us."