Now

Time is all relative to me.  Seriously, showing up late is my norm and the approximately seven times I have been early for something (in my entire life) only resulted in a “What am I supposed to do now?” feeling of panic.

The truth is that I actually hate being late! My problem, though, stems from a classic case of underestimation.  I constantly fail to accurately predict how much time it will take to get myself (and three kids) ready and headed out the door. 

One day a couple years ago, I agreed at the last minute to meet another mom at a local park for a walk.  When I told her I would meet her there in a “few minutes,” the fact that I still had to walk a mile home from where I was, pack up the stroller, the baby, and everything else I needed for the outing, and then drive the 10 minutes there was obviously not calculating.

By the time I got home, I was in panic mode, running around like crazy trying to get everything ready. I didn’t even have this mom’s phone number to tell her I would be late! I buckled Anna into her carseat, grabbed the diaper bag and some snacks, folded up the stroller, jammed it into the back of the van, slammed the door, got in and started driving.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding

Yep, that was my van letting me know that my door-slamming attempt was a failure. I should really pull over and try again.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding

But I was so late. And taking the time to stop and repeat the jam and slam process would only make me more late.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding

But could I really handle the incessant dinging the whole way there?

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding

But I was SO late!

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding

So I did it.

I hit the “lock all doors” button, hoping that would be good enough, and drove.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding

All the way there.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding

With each Ding my stress level grew.

And grew. And grew. And grew. And grew. And grew.

“God, You’re obviously trying to teach me something, but what in the world is it? Because this is really annoying.”

I expected the answer to be something like, “You really need to do a better job thinking ahead!” or “Why are you freaking out instead of trusting Me?” (or “Just pull over and fix it!”)

But He said this instead:

“I’m with you. And I’m not just with you, I’m with you NOW. And I’m not just with you NOW, I’m with you NOW and NOW and NOW and NOW and NOW.

…And NOW and NOW and NOW and NOW and NOW and NOW.”

In Matthew 28:20, Jesus said, “I will be with you always.” And when He said always, He meant exactly that – always!

As believers, we never, for a single moment, experience life alone. There isn’t a circumstance or situation we find ourselves in where He’s not presently present. He doesn’t miss a thing because time isn’t relative to Him – He’s ordained our moments, so every single one of those moments is important to Him. We never have to worry that He won’t show up, because He’s never late. His presence is a promise and even in my worst seconds, I can be helped, just by being aware that He’s there.

With three young children, the Ding Ding Ding of slightly open doors rings in my ears more often than I would like. And so many times it feels like it’s happening at the exact wrong time!

But, actually, maybe it’s the exact right time.