A Bit of Time

Scripture: But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13)

With the advance of technology, I believe many of us have been pulled away from quality time with God. With cell phones, TVs in every room of the house with a choice of 153 channels, a computer parked somewhere in the home, video and computer games going, satellite radio and so on, it's easy to get distracted.

On the other hand, I believe email brings one very good thing: encouraging forwards. I can't tell you how many times I have opened a forward and have been moved to tears and have had to fight off a lump in my throat because someone thought to send me something so deep, meaningful, or something I can either relate to or apply to my own life.

The forward below was sent to me, and I saved it, because I was touched by it. It put a spotlight in my own life on the "drift" I have sometimes felt in my own life at times.

Right now I am in the middle of moving into a new home. It's easy to forget God in the middle of repairs, painting, gardening, getting the place ready for Move Day. But recently, while I worked alone, I talked to God while I was pulling weeds and traipsing in and out of the house. For once I didn't feel like turning on the radio. I chose silence and although I was busy, I had quiet time with the Lord, as I dedicated my new home to Him, asked Him to bless me and my household, as well as all those who come through the front door. I prayed for protection and safety and for blessings upon us and all those helping us working to made this house a "home". It felt so good to have a "running conversation" with Him.

I hope you enjoy the poem below as much as I did.

"Checking In Today"

A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray.
Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while.

His shirt was kinda shabby and his coat was worn and frayed,
the man knelt, he bowed his head, Then rose and walked away.
In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap,
each time he knelt just for a moment, A lunch pail in his lap.

Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him, 'What are you doing here?'
The old man said, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour.

Lunchtime was his prayer time, For finding strength and power.
'I stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away;
as I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kinda what I say:

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.'

The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome To come and pray just anytime
Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.' He hurried to the door.

The minister knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer:

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'

Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come.
As more than 20 days passed without Jim, he began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried, But he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Jim was with them, Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad,
when no flowers, calls or cards came, Not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed, He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile;

'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that he's in here all the while
everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand, Leans over and says to me:

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,
AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'

Prayer request: For all those who need alone time with God to find it in the middle of whatever they are doing.

Prayer: Lord, sometimes we run dry, and we forget Who you are, and where You are. Help each of us to take a bit of time each day to praise You and acknowledge Your blessings upon us.