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)

Time Flies

Day 43 of Photo Inspiration -- Time Flies
Yesterday, I took  my watch in for repair to a really great jeweler that I have here in Tulsa.  He recognized me and my watch, though it had been seven years since I'd seen him last (he had the time associated with my watch).  It's a beautiful gold watch that my sweetheart gave me for my 50th birthday.  He had it engraved with   "Donna, with all my love, Ron '98".  This is one of my precious treasures that I love so much because it took him a lot of time and effort to find this special gift for me.   He wanted it to be special because it represented, not just a milestone -- but  MANY MILES - STONE. I've always been a sap for sweet momentos.  In fact, I still have the first charm bracklet and charm he gave me on my 13th birthday....and the letters we sent to each other..

He gave me a surprise 50th birthday party.  He had taken me out to dinner and when we got home, there were many friends and family waiting for us there.  All these memories flooded my heart today.  I even remembered and pulled out the banner that he had up for me. Goodness, I've had that banner for 16 years now.

What made me reminisce like this yesterday?  Maybe it was because I knew I was headed to the part of town where my jeweler is located, so I knew it was a perfect opportunity to take the watch in.   But just taking it in, brought back a flood of memories.  And, on top of that, I saw a sweet cousin's post about it being her 50th birthday yesterday, and how she was surprised and blessed by her husband and friends.

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 -- back when we were engaged -- it did feel like time went by so slowly, and then after we married, waiting for our baby boy to be born -- time went by so slowly.  But now, it's no longer slow.  Time has gone by so quickly.  Now the old saying "Time flies!"  is way more true.  And if that be so, then it's important to make the most of each minute -- each hour -- and each day while we have the TIME to make it the most precious TIME that God has given us!  Let's make TIME count!

"But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand..." Psalm 31:14