I’ll never forget one morning when I put my daughter down for a nap and retreated to my bedroom to pray. That particular morning had been especially exhausting, and I needed, more than ever, to rest and recharge!
Being a new mom was anything but easy, and I’ll confess, my prayers had become extremely predictable -- always asking God for peace and for more time to get everything done!
That morning I prayed: “Father, so many people ask for more money, but could I PLEASE have more TIME?”
Only seconds later, I heard a rustling, followed by a premature, “MOMMEEE!!”
No more rest.
Despite the morning’s prayer fail, something remarkable happened that same evening when I read my daughter her bedtime story.
The story was of a poor widow who only had two small coins in her possession. But when given the opportunity, she gave the two coins to God. Yet, what the widow did not realize was that Jesus was in the temple - watching!
Despite the abundant offerings of the wealthy, Jesus’ attention fell on her action. His eyes locked on her life (Mark 12:41-44).
I finished reading my daughter the story, and as she was falling asleep, I felt God awakening my heart.
Remembering back to that morning’s prayer fail, I thought:
Perhaps, like the widow, I had captured the attention of Christ. Not because I’d given Him abundant amounts of time, but because I gave what I had to Him!
Still cradling my daughter in the chair beside her bed, I sensed something very profound: God was not answering my request for more time by commanding the heavens to stand still. No. Instead, He was opening the heavens, showing me that as I give my limited time to Him, He would bless my days, not necessarily with completed to-do lists, but with His peace, contentment, and joy.
This same daughter is now 16 years old! And, while this happened years ago, engraved on my heart is a lesson I’ll never forget -- when a few coins of time are all I have, I give them to Him.
What about you?
Are you overwhelmed? Do the day’s demands wear on you? Is everyday life void of peace? How would your life be different if you gave time to Him?
Regardless of your season, I encourage you to pause, reach for those coins of time you have, and give them to Him. In exchange, you’ll experience the joy of capturing His heart and His peace filling your days. 💕
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer.” (1 Peter 3:12, ESV)