How do you spell LOVE?

About 13 years ago a man that I worked with came into my office and out of the blue asked me if I knew how to spell LOVE. "Of course" I answered, " L - O - V - E ". He gave me this sad smile and sad "No, it's spelled T - I - M - E" and walked out of my office. Strange, right? I didn't make much of it because he was a strange man. He was one of those weird "Born again Christians" that I was scared of. He seemed a little too radical for me. Not very realistic about life. Relied on God only. He gave his money away. Prayed at the drop of a hat. Went to third world countries to serve. Just plain strange. Funny, how God works. Today, I strive to be that same weirdo : )

It's also kind of strange that for the last week I've heard this man's words over and over in my head. It's taken me almost 13 years for that to really sink in to my head and my heart. Back then I was working like crazy. I had been out of college a few years and climbing the corporate ladder. I had just been promoted to CFO and work was my primary focus. Not my marriage. Not my kiddos. Not my family. And certainly not my God. Wow, what a sad set of priorities I had.

Today (Thank You Jesus) all I can think about is TIME. Spending TIME with God. Spending TIME with my husband and children. Spending TIME with my family. Spending TIME with the fatherless, the oppressed, the hungry....... Why did it take me so long to realize how to Love well?

I am so grateful to be a mom that can be home with my daughter (soon to be daughters) I had no idea how important this was. TIME changes a lot of things. Perspective. I could care less about being some big wig accountant. And all of the "things" that I thought I needed.... turns out that I just really wanted them. Wanted them to fill a hole I had. A hole that only Jesus could fill. It's incredible to wake up in the morning and know that there is no hole. To be so full was unimaginable at one time. Now, it's just pure joy.

Right now from the dining room table where I typing on my laptop I can see Izzy in her play room. Her Hillsong for Kids is playing. She is singing. Worshipping. While she is getting her colored pencils and worksheets together for home school. She is so happy. It's a beautiful thing to see. I catch myself all the time just staring at her. Amazed that she is my daughter. A child once abandoned. Now adored. I cherish this TIME with her.

Thank You Lord for teaching me how to spell : )