Next Time (11/19/2024)

I’ve lived as the “out of towner” for all but 2 years of my married life. I’m the relative that doesn’t live there. It is hard coming “home” because the signs of my having been there are erased. I’m always the visitor. And visits include trying to touch base with all the family members in a meaningful way. And every time, as I drive out of the hotel parking lot, I think of the things I didn’t get done and tell myself, “Next time.” But this time, it was different. This time I said, “I hope there is a next time.”

I’m not getting younger. I am 74. These thousand-mile round trip treks are getting more difficult. I’m not the only one who has aged. My mother is 95, my oldest brother is 71, my baby sister is 65 and my baby brother is 63. I’ve already lost my dad, my middle brother Rod, and my older sister Betty. As I drove out of the lot this time, it really hit me. I need to make the most of each time because there are no guarantees for “next time.”

Perhaps it’s the time of year – fall – where I’m surrounded by swishing brown leaves and the vista for most of my drive is that of harvested fields. Perhaps it is the approach of the end of the year and the realization of time passing more quickly than I want. Perhaps it’s the end of the liturgical year when the readings speak of the end times. I’m not sure; perhaps it’s all of these. But this morning, I’m feeling the need to make the time I have matter and to lose the expression “next time.”

Life has few guarantees other than the unconditional love of our LORD. Each of us are given an unspecified time, and while we may have to prioritize, we can’t take for granted the time we have. Time is a gift. How will we unpack it? How will we use it? With whom will we spend it? How close will we come to realizing our own purpose here on earth? Will loving well and doing good be the theme of our days? Will we make each moment this side of the sod count? Will we use this time to come to know our LORD, love our LORD, and serve our LORD? Will we cherish and grow our relationships with our family – our sisters and brothers in Christ?

As we continue our journeys of faith, hope, and love, let us seek to use our time here well knowing that we aren’t guaranteed a “next time.” Let us implore the Spirit to guide us daily. Let us open our minds and hearts to the LORD’s will and purpose for us and our lives. Let us live daily with all our might and love and not save a bit of it for the hope of a “next time.”

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.