Time and People in my Hand

I approached yesterday with much trepidation, after all, 30 days of focusing on What’s in My Hand (OK actually 30 days focusing on anything for me) seemed a little unlikely. 

I thought most of the way to church about my formless day—what was in my hand were these elusive things called time and people.  Although I thought I might recognize people in my hand and respond appropriately (smiling, making newcomers know they were welcome, praying with someone crying etc.), I wasn’t so sure what using the time in my hand might look like. 

Immediately after church I left for “Lunch” at Costco – the buffet left me starving, and I admittedly didn’t look for people on the way to the parking lot to talk to.  Two breads on a spread that was only half as long as usual—thankfully I am not gluten (or butter, God forbid) intolerant—but I digress. 

Leaving Costco I headed to Robb’s to scoff down all the pre-packaged goodies I could get into my famished body-- but that left us at the odd time of 2PM.  The lack of indecision combined with the heat of the day and, perhaps, the importance we were placing on “what’s next” caused a little tension and found myself expressing my annoyance.  All the plans I had for ministering to complete strangers today had little impact on ministering to the man in my hand.  Part of being faithful with the people in your hand is opening up your heart and taking time to understand them—all of them.

The Pirate game started at 1:35 and I believed the music at the winery to be over at 3.  So by the time we would get to the game or music they would be half over.  We sat in the running car facing out of the driveway waiting for a direction.  Finally he said, “Let’s pray about it”.  Whew, good idea.

No lightning bolts came down.  No booming heavenly voices.  Neither of us “got” anything but the baseball game seemed more complex and the outdoor music at La Casa Narcissi seemed more of an environment to map out the plan he wanted to attack for the week so we headed there.  We sat alone and people-watched just relaxing and munching on calamari. 

The music actually was supposed to be from 2-5 so our choice turned out to be a good one.  Then at 5 another performer joined the current one and they played together for a while longer turning a good thing to a God thing.  Sabbath rest accomplished.

At one point enroute home Robb spotted a Nissan Murano for sale on the side of the road.  We pulled over to take a look—it was in great shape and priced right.  Larger than I needed but I saw how much time the car search had sucked up thus far and I wanted it over.  We called the number to test drive it.  The owner had just put it out 3 hours before after beautifully detailing it.  It was garage kept and you could tell he was meticulous about it.  They were selling it because they needed something with a third seat for the dog. 

I’ll take it to the dealer to be looked over today. 

To recap, I saw myself fail with the “man in my hand” . . . but took the failure as a lesson.  I think we did well discerning what to do with the time in our hand and were rewarded with not only an accomplished rest, extra unexpected music, but also, perhaps, freedom from having to restart the car search.  That alone redeems hours of time and frustration.  This could be an interesting month.