AN UNEXPECTED GIFT OF TIME




People say I’m organized. I keep to-do lists and cross out the items one by one. My calendar is filled well in advance and I must admit—I don’t like surprises or interruptions. A busy day, even if busier than I would choose, is acceptable as long as it is predictable.

Last week an April snowstorm changed my itinerary. My sister and I had hoped to attend a poetry workshop—the plan was to drive to her house on Friday, stay overnight, and then travel together to the Saturday workshop. The registration fees were paid. The calendar was cleared. I had just finished a hectic stretch of work and felt drained and in need of a creative jump-start. It would be just what I needed.

On Friday morning, I looked out at snowy drifts while listening to the weather reports. Falling trees caused power outages to the north of us. Schools were closed. The storm would last until into Saturday. Travel was impossible. Normally I would have been frustrated over the interruption of my agenda. After all, I had paid the registration fee and had been looking forward to a nice long visit with my sister.

Instead, I felt the sweet nudging of the Holy Spirit. “I’m giving you a surprise,” He whispered to my heart. “A gift of time.”

Out of the blue. A surprise. No demands. Just precious hours to myself. Time to read or write or work on neglected projects. Time to relax and enjoy the beauty of a winter snowfall in springtime, listen to the silence of snow-muted woods, or watch the confused robins pecking at the bird feeder. Time to read poems, or maybe write one. I felt like a kid at Christmas time.

God knew I needed a break, even though I didn’t have a clue. In my endless pursuit of getting things crossed off my list, I never considered scheduling a day of freedom. After all, life is more than a list of things to be accomplished.

Barring another snowstorm, I’ll be able to visit my sister next weekend. Two other sisters will join us and we’ll spend the day with our mother and other relatives. It’s been too long since we’ve been together, too easy to keep busy with the work of life. It’s all falling into place. I shouldn’t be surprised; when God does it, He works out all the details.

Do you feel that your life has slipped into drudgery mode? Maybe you need a “snow day” to reconsider the direction your life is heading. Take a break to consider why God created you in the first place. Look for that unexpected gift of time.

Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath. Psalm 39:4-5