Quantity time vs. quality time

Last week, I heard a Christian leader talk about the sudden death of his mother, which occurred less than a month ago and is still fresh on his heart. Losing his mother had been one of his biggest fears, he said, and it happened unexpectedly while he was out of the country, away from his family and totally alone in a gloomy hotel room. He said he sat alone and wept for hours until he found comfort in the reality that his mother, who had a relationship with Christ, was in heaven and was happier than ever. He still misses his mother, he said, but he has found refuge in the fact that his tears are out of his own suffering rather than his mother's.

As he told this story, my heart was softened to the point of understanding his pain. I've been fortunate enough not to have had to endure the loss of a parent or sibling yet, but it is something that I think about often. In fact, it has been my biggest fear all my life, like it was his, and something that has haunted me every time I miss a phone call or a face-to-face visit or e-mail or whatever. I am terrified that every time I talk to people that I love could be the last, but my reasons are different than what his seem to be.

Sure, I'm afraid I'd miss them. But it isn't just that. I'm afraid I'll have lost the opportunity to talk to people I love about Christ and make sure their hearts are where they need to be. Almost everyone I know at least claims to be a Christian, but how many of them are actually following Christ?

I ask the above question rhetorically and with no number in mind. I don't actually know. I'm pretty confident that most of my closest loved ones know Christ, but I've never actually brought it up, and I've always wanted to. I don't want to be 25 or 50 or even 90 percent sure that the people in my life have a personal relationship with Christ. I want to be 100 percent sure, and the only way to find out is to inquire.

But talking to people about their relationship with Christ sometimes feels a lot like interrogating them, so the whole idea of a conversation of that nature just completely intimidates me. I'm certainly not perfect and in no place to judge another's lifestyle, so how do I ask people if they KNOW that they know they're saved?

For about a year, God's been pressing Matthew 4:19 on my heart relentlessly. ("Follow me and I will make you fisher's of men.") The more I grow in my walk with Christ, the more I understand that I can't lean on my own understanding. As I depend on God more and myself less, He has begun to reveal the answers to me and remove my fears by reminding me that I'm not called to do it alone.

I've said all that to say this: Every year at Christmas, I pray that God would give me at least one more Christmas with my family. I've been praying that prayer for years, and it dawned on me as I heard this man preach about his mother's death, that no matter how many times I ask for it, there will never be enough years in all the world to satisfy me. It's not about quantity, it's about quality. So this year, I'm praying for better spent time, better quality time, with the people than I love rather than more time wasted.

God put it on my heart to use my time wisely (better quality) and to take advantage of holiday get-togethers this year to talk to my friends and family, to say--completely out of love--"Hey, where are you in your walk with Christ? How can I serve you? How can I pray for you?"

We don't have all the time in the world here to spend with those we care about, but if we rely on and follow Christ, we can have eternity later.

On that note, I've learned a few vital points this year that are worth sharing:

1. Found people find people

2. Saved people serve people

3. Growing people change

4. I can't do life alone

Anyway, it's Christmas week. The week Christ was born. What a beautiful reason to celebrate. Remind someone--or remind yourself--about the most amazing, powerful, expensive gift you have EVER received for Christmas, God's son, and celebrate like you believe it's true.

How can I serve you? How can I pray for you? How can I encourage you in your walk with Christ?

Wish you all safe travels and fond memories this holiday season, and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Merry Christmas! :)