My dad not only expected punctuality, he demanded it. If he said we were leaving the house at 6 a.m. for a vacation, we had better have been in the car at 5:55 a.m. because at 6 (if not before) we were pulling out of the driveway. No questions asked.
It takes great discipline to be on time; you have to quit what you're doing to move yourself along. It takes planning; you must schedule your day well and include enough time for the travel to get to where you need to go. It shows respect to those who are waiting for you; their time is as valuable as yours so you won't keep them waiting. A Czech proverb says, "Punctuality is the art of kings." Being on time is a noble habit.
Normally, I'm a pretty punctual person. At least I was as of six months ago. Some how, though, I've found myself running late more than I ever have in my life since Cooper has arrived. It's normally based on one of the follow things:
1) Cooper is asleep. Who in their right mind would wake this child when he finally fell asleep?
2) Cooper has just filled a clean diaper. Again.
3) When Cooper filled that diaper for the second or third time, he managed to get it on his clothes. Or mine. This requires an outfit change for at least one of us.
4) Cooper has spit up some doughy, curdled milk concoction that can't be simply wiped off. Another costume change.
These are merely the primary reasons among many, many subsequent ones.
Recently as I was running late (I believe reason #3 was the culprit that day), I felt such a sweet presence of the Lord. The thought of His love for me was so overwhelming. He loves me whether I'm late or on time. There's nothing I can do to change His love for me. I can't ever be perfect enough to make Him love me more. He loves me even when I'm late.
It's so easy to say the words "the Lord loves me unconditionally." But somehow in that moment, the reality of that statement took hold more than ever before. I realized that I do things trying to ensure His love. The fact is, I don't have to.
Of course, it doesn't mean that He's pleased with everything we do or that He accepts things against His Word. But He's certainly not standing over us with a lightening bold ready to zap us. I'm so thankful to know such a kind God.
Does all of this mean that I'm going to quit trying to be a punctual person? Absolutely not! That noble habit is still what I'm aiming for - some days its just pushed aside while I change a diaper or two.
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