‘“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ‘ Matthew 22:36-40
I was born in 1967, so I was a child of the ’70s and 80’s, and as far back as I can remember, I was a music fan. It probably helped that my father played the guitar and sang. One of the musicians I enjoyed growing up was Phil Collins, and today I went onto my music app and found the song “Do You Remember?”
I listened to it today, and a couple of the lyrics to this song struck me hard:
There are things we won’t recall
And feelings we’ll never find
It’s taken so long to see it
‘Cause we never seemed to have the timeThere was always something more important to do
More important to say
But, “I love you” wasn’t one of those things
And now it’s too late
When these lyrics came up in the song, I started crying. For some reason, I felt convicted by these words. I began to think of my kids, and as I would tell them, “I love them,” there is only one accurate measurement of love for those in your life, especially your kids, and that is… time.
I spent a lot of time being “busy” when they were growing up, “there was always something more important to do.”
I think about my mom, who has been gone for nine years now, and realize I could have been a better son to her, a little more compassionate and loving.
The one perishable commodity that the Lord has provided us is time. We know when we were born but don’t know when He will take us. We only have so much time.
With this being said, I realize that I neglected my relationship with God, and this caused me to overlook critical personal relationships. A close relationship with Jesus will strengthen connections with those around us. And I believe we can’t have one without the other.
The good news is that the Lord has forgiven me for this, and I have a new goal now: Let love be your highest goal! 1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT
Don’t let it become too late for those reading this who feel the same way.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness, grace, and mercy.
I pray for Your help and strength to heal any relationship that I have neglected. Please guide my heart, hands, and feet and lead me to those with who I need to make amends.
Knowing I am forgiven, I place my life in Your hands and ask for Your guidance.
In the loving name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
