Sunday, November 25, 2018

Lessons from Caregiving, #14: Moments that Matter

(This post is part of a series. For previous posts in the series please see #1#2., #3#4#5#6#7#8#9#10#11#12#13)


I've always been a planner. As a strategic thinker, lists and structure come easily to me. I find it more stressful to be spontaneous, and within that, I have always worked best in blocks of time. So it's not surprising that God would take me through a season of learning how to be more flexible, more spontaneous, and most significantly, more in the moment. 

One of the lessons I'm learning is that while I can measure the tasks on my to-do list, I cannot measure the value of an interaction. The time spent patiently hanging out with Bob or taking my parents and him for a drive might result in 10 fewer things crossed off - but countless moments that matter. 

As I move from looking for good days to looking for good moments, I'm learning that I have to consistently be present in order to make every moment count. I have to focus not just on what has to be done, but on what he needs. It's a major change of perspective regarding time management. 

In the process I think I'm learning some of what Scripture means about the priority of love. I'm learning that when I live out 1 Corinthians 13 (which is possible only solely by the power of the Holy Spirit) I find living in the moment much easier. Each of these action verbs are in the present. I can't go back and be patient yesterday, and as much as I wish I could, I can't let today's kindness count for tomorrow.

This long Thanksgiving weekend, we've had some good moments. We've had plenty of hard ones too. I've had some joys, a few laughs, some fatigue - and I've shed some tears. All of these have been around moments that matter. I pray that in the process, I've loved well enough to give others some moments that matter, too.


1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

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