What is the Most Important?

My dad had surgery last week. He lives two hours from me, so I drove over to be with him in the hospital and stayed with him for his post-op. Over the few days I was there, I realized something. Even though I had lessons to plan and meetings to attend at home, at that moment, I knew there was nothing more important than what I was doing right then: sitting there with my dad and mom while we waited and prayed. Everything else took a back seat to what I was doing right then.

Jesus models for us how we are to be present in the moment. Jesus was never in a hurry when He walked this earth. He took time to play with the children and heal the sick; I picture Him throwing His holy head back and enjoying a good laugh with His disciples. Oh, how I want to be the kind of person who is present in the moment. I want to slow down and be totally present while it is happening. I am guilty of checking my phone, reading the next novel I will be teaching, or grading papers –all in the name of “multi-tasking.” But, truth is, multi-tasking is not being present in the moment. I must learn this lesson! 

One of my favorite stories in the New Testament is when a ruler of the Synagogue named, Jairus implored Jesus to come heal his daughter who was dying. Instead of rushing to her side as if time were of essence, Jesus stopped to ask the crowd who had touched Him (He felt power leave His body when a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years believed that if she just touched His cloak she would be healed). While Jesus was focusing on the woman who came forward to say she was the one who had touched Him, someone from the Jairus’s house came and told Jairus that his daughter was dead and not to bother the Teacher anymore. However, after Jesus finished with the moment at hand, He continued on to Jairus’s house and raised his daughter from the dead (Luke 8:42 – 56). 

This story amazes me on many levels, but I can’t help but think about what I would have done if I were in that situation. If I were the one who was called to help out in the situation, I would have been focused on getting to Jairus’s house as fast as I could, and I would have totally missed the opportunity with the woman who was bleeding. If I were the one who needed the help, I would have been so upset that Jesus was taking His time and that surely He didn’t understand the severity of the situation. But, the truth is, Jesus has perfect timing. He never wastes a thing we go through even if we feel His timing is off. He’s never early and He’s never late. He is always right on time. When are we going to get that? As I sat with my dad in his recovery, I knew that was exactly where I was supposed to be at that moment. 

My prayer is, LORD, don’t let me miss the moment because I’m focused on something else. Grant me the grace and ability to be present, to be in the moment. I can only do this with Your help. Thank you, LORD. Amen.