The Gift of Time
Time is one of the most valuable gifts we can give to another person… but it’s a gift rather than an investment. We invest in things when we expect a payoff; when we give we don’t expect a return. That’s now it is with time and relationships. There’s no way to know ahead what will come of the gift of time, except perhaps to know that something will come of it, somehow, in God’s time.
Over the last few months, I’ve had a lot of conversations, some lengthy, with one of the pastors of my church. Sundays are always busier and more social, so it’s usually after a Tuesday or Thursday service, with its tiny congregation, that I end up hanging around with Fr. Kraft and chatting about this or that. He’s retired, and so he has the gift of free time… and generosity about sharing that time with younger members of his church family. Sometimes we talk about interesting books, or modern culture; sometimes I get a sympathetic ear for whatever is stressful in my life that day; often, though, I have a question to ask. One time it was about understanding a difficult passage in Romans, another time about the correct way to understand the place of saints in our prayer lives.
For example, the other day, we stood around in the parking lot for two hours (literally; I looked at my watch afterwards!). He had preached a few days earlier on St Francis and St Clare, and it resonated with issues I’ve been wrestling with lately. I wanted to talk about the place of money in my life as a Christian. So we did, and I went home with a heart full of peace and and a strong sense of gratitude for Fr. Kraft’s wisdom.
It’s clear how a conversation like that is a generous gift of time. But the real gift of time came before that. Why was I in a position where I could say, on leaving the chapel after morning mass, “Hey, Father, do you have a few minutes to answer a question for me?” How did I know that he would be able to answer my questions with wisdom and insight? Because of time, that’s why. Week in, and week out, saying hi after mass; listening to him preach; chatting a little bit here and there. Realizing that the friendly smile and the “How are you doing?” come from genuine interest in my well-being. Finding out that when I shared some little concern in my life and asked for advice, I got a compassionate and wise response.
When we know someone, know that they are kind, caring, faithful people through and through, it is much easier to turn to them for help, advice, or answers. When we trust someone to have our best interests at heart, their advice is far more meaningful. How do we get to the point where we know and trust someone this way? Through the gift of time. Time spent in relationship without an agenda. Time given freely, without hope of gain. Time spent in genuine interaction, not trying to put forth an image but instead being faithful to Christ and letting Him shine through. Because God’s timing is always perfect.
Related posts:
Dr Holly Ordway came to Christ through reason, in the pursuit of truth. "In your hearts honor Christ as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 15).
She writes about her journey from atheism to orthodox Christian faith in her book "Not God's Type: A Rational Academic Finds a Radical Faith" (Moody Publishers).
