“Love is something you give, not something you buy.” – Brent Henderson

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

What will be the cost of saying “YES” to a relationship, and “NO” to something good, but not best?
If love is spelled TIME, what and who gets your love?

In yesterday’s devotional, I shared about Jeff and Jill Williams, cofounders of Grace and Truth Relationship Education. I promised to bless you by sharing their Sep 4 devotional titled “Love is Spelled TIME.” Here it is, including their prayer:
 
A walk and talk with my daughters yesterday and a round of golf with my son the day before reminded me of this important spelling lesson.  Love is spelled TIME.
 
Brent Henderson wrote a song with this title about 20 years ago. “It’s something you give, not something you buy.”
 
We have a finite number of days on this earth; a finite number of times to play rounds of golf and to take hikes.  It brings tears to consider that these experiences with youthful children are transient. I’m sorry that the holiday weekend is over, but very glad about how we spent some of it; together.
 
Jim Elliott gave his life at a young age evangelizing Indians in Ecuador. Prior to his death he’d written in journals with a Carpe Diem theme, “He is no fool that loses what he cannot keep, in order to keep what he cannot lose.”* This passionate hero of the Christian faith had been profoundly affected by this question from Jesus, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
 
Tim is a friend that presents seminars around the world on value-based time management. On more than one occasion he said the following in response to one of my requests for some of his time, “Jeff, I would love to say yes, but there is a deeper ‘Yes’ burning inside of me.”  It was often the case that he said no to me in order to say yes to his wife. I understood and respected his decision.
 
What’s my point? The clock keeps ticking. Opportunities are seized or lost. Relationships are strengthened or ignored. The people closest to us are prioritized or they aren’t. Love is spelled TIME.
 
I watched part of a golf tournament today. Early in his round, the leader was faced with a decision about a penalty stroke. His playing partner said, “I didn’t see it, so you have to make the choice that you can feel good about.” At the end of today what choices regarding people do I feel good about?
 
As a new season of the year begins, and possibly coincides with a new season at work, at church, at home, what decisions about time are you facing? What will be the cost of saying “YES” to a relationship, and “NO” to something good, but not best? If love is spelled TIME, what and who gets your love?

Prayer Power
Lord, during your 33 years of life you chose best. You chose people. You walked and talked with them, valuing them, for who they were, and not what they could do for you, or how they could profit you. Would you show us who and how to prioritize? Who to Love by investing TIME? I ask this because our time is not our own. It is you who gives us life, breath, and health for your purposes, not our own. And your greatest purpose is people. Please give us your wisdom and strength to do this like you. Thanks. Amen.

Link of the Day
*Through Gates of Splendor, by Elisabeth Elliott [http://www.amazon.com/Through-Gates-Splendor-Elisabeth-Elliot/dp/0842371516/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-2214745-5652822?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188915078&sr=1-1]

Blessings to manifest your love with the gift of TIME!