I Thought I Had More Time

Over the winter school break, my daughter Katie and I experienced a moment of sheer panic that

taught me an important lesson about time. Her high school band had planned a trip to Pigeon

Forge, Tennessee, which Katie had eagerly anticipated for months. She’d saved money, counted

down the days, and made plans with her friends. When we first signed up, the departure date was

set for January 2nd.

As time passed, various updates came through the band’s communication app, but most seemed

trivial, so I began to tune them out. By the time Christmas rolled around, I was running on fumes

and ready to unwind. My husband Chris and our son Henry visited family in Iowa, leaving Katie

and me at home. What did we do? We lived in pajamas, indulged in too many Netflix marathons,

and barely moved from the couch. It was a much-needed reset—or so I thought.

On January 1st, around 3 PM, I figured we should start packing and doing laundry for the trip. I

casually asked Katie to check the communication app for snack suggestions. A moment later, her

panicked voice broke the stillness: “MOM!! It says we’re supposed to be at the school

TONIGHT, not tomorrow!”

I froze, sure it had to be a typo. But when I checked for myself, there it was in black and white:

the departure date had been moved up, and we were supposed to be at the school in six hours.

Panic doesn’t begin to describe what followed. Her laundry wasn’t done. Snacks weren’t bought.

Her suitcases weren’t packed. A typical teenager, Katie didn’t handle the abrupt schedule

changes gracefully. I kept repeating to myself, I thought I had more time!

By some miracle (and a few tears), we managed to get her ready and to the school on time. But

after the chaos subsided, I couldn’t shake the nagging question: How did I let this happen?

This wasn’t the first time I’d fallen into the trap of thinking there was “more time.” Just last

February, I’d planned to visit my grandmother in Colorado. I kept putting it off, convinced I’d

get to it soon enough. Then I got the call: she was gravely ill. I booked the earliest flight, but

before I even boarded, I received the heartbreaking news that she had passed away. Once again, I

was left with the painful realization: I thought I had more time.

Time Is Precious

These experiences have reshaped how I think about time. The Bible repeatedly reminds us that

our days on earth are fleeting and precious. Psalm 39:4-5 offers a sobering perspective:

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.

You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you.

Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.”

Life is fragile and brief. But this truth doesn’t have to be discouraging. Instead, it calls us to live

intentionally. As Psalm 90:12 says,

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Every moment is a gift from God, and how we spend our time reflects our values and priorities.

Are we investing in eternal things—our relationship with the Lord, serving others, and building

His kingdom? Or are we coasting through life, assuming we’ll get around to what matters later?

Psalm 103:15-18 contrasts the brevity of human life with the everlasting nature of God’s love:

“The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it

and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s

love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those

who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”

Living With Purpose

These scriptures challenge me to make the most of the time I’ve been given. Yes, rest is

important. God Himself rested on the seventh day, and Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to

pray. But there’s a difference between intentional rest and mindless complacency. We must

remain vigilant and aware of the opportunities God places before us.

Hug your loved ones. Make that phone call. Write that note. Schedule that dinner. Invite that

friend to church. Build God’s kingdom. Time is fleeting, and there’s much work to be done. As

believers, we know that Christ is coming back. Let’s not waste the precious days we’ve been

given.

So often, I hear that small voice whispering, “You still have time.” But the truth is, we don’t

know how much time we have. Let’s live today purposefully, knowing that our time on earth is a

gift meant to be stewarded well—for God’s glory and the good of others.