There Came a Shortage of Future

"How many people are rationalizing the fact that they are neglecting to make any kind of home at all and failing to spend any time with their children because they are providing more or being fulfilled or doing 'good works.' It is possible to destroy the family because your home has fallen apart in the name of doing 'good works.'

There is a great need to stop as a family together, pray for a whole evening, for a whole day off together, discuss, pray, and ask God, 'Please show us before it is too late what balance we are to have in our family.'

I can say positively that the years fly past like a mist in the night. Time disappears more quickly than smoke. It is not possible to go backward. The 'now' is important if there is ever to be any family life. Steve Turner, a young English poet, has a line in his poem "Ageing" which I would like to quote from the book Tonight We Will Fake Love.

At some point in his life
There came a shortage of future

Apply to the family life this truth concerning time. Economic shortages can never compare with 'a shortage of future.'"
~Edith Schaeffer

 *****

Years ago one might have read this and immediately thought of the ways parents sacrifice their children on the altars of prosperity or career or "me time." Those are still battles, of course. But now, the digital world offers so many more ways to waste the time God has given us to teach and disciple our children for His glory.

Surely all of us have noticed the family who eats dinner out together, but who aren't really "together" because each is so busy enjoying social media. And what about the Mom who craves on-line connection and approval so much that her phone is glued to her side, and her children must fight for her attention? "Mommy, look at me." "Mommy, are you listening?" Before you know it, those little children just stop asking for Mommy's attention and simply seek it elsewhere.

It's easy to tell ourselves that today is just an exception, but before we know it, not being right here has become the pattern of our lives. And though eternity waits for all of us, be it spending it in heaven or in hell, we're all living our way to a shortage of future here on earth.

A precious friend started the day almost a month ago not knowing it was the day her 18 year old son would be absent from his body and present with the Lord.   I'm sure she's had days when she hasn't redeemed the time, but there is no doubt from the fruit in her children's lives that she has soberly considered her responsibilities to the Lord to teach her children well.

There is a season for everything, and the season of parenting our children is very short. The wise woman remembers the Gifts in her midst, the souls God has entrusted to her, and she casts off any weight that would makes these little ones stumble, that would keep her distracted and longing to be anywhere other than wholeheartedly where God has placed her.

"Mothers, look up and look ahead! Ask yourself: In five, ten, twenty, even forty years, what will I wish that I had done today?"
~Jean Fleming

With love,
Trisha