In a Minute - New Evangelizers

We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. (1 Corinthians 15: 51-52)

“Minute, Mom.” If I had a penny for every time I heard that from one of my kids, I would be a rich woman. My twelve-year-old uses it a lot. I had to sit and think about it for a while and try to discern where she might have learned such an annoying habit. My older children used it, but I don’t remember it being used quite so extensively. So what’s the difference between her and the other three? Why does she use it so much and where did she learn it?

More contemplation, prayer, and paying attention to our lives. Ana walks into my office, demanding my attention for one reason or another, or maybe she wants a hug. My response, “Just a minute, I’m in the middle of something.”

STOP, hold the phone, revelation here and I’m not talking about her or trying to teach her a lesson. In fact I already taught her a lesson, without even realizing what I was doing. Her father and I taught her the art of “In a minute.”

Do you suppose that God says, “In a minute,” to His children? Can you imagine Jesus praying in the desert and God looking down from His throne in heaven? “Just a minute Son, there is a camel stuck in a sandstorm. I’ll get him out then be with you.” Sounds a little silly, very ungodly, something God wouldn’t do.

We’re to follow God’s example as a Father and “In a minute,” doesn’t usually make the cut. There are times when it’s appropriate, like, say, when the house is burning down, but most often we have the time and don’t want to tear ourselves away from the thing of choice.

We are choosing a thing over a child, our child. This sends a message to the child that whatever is delaying you attentions is more important than they are. It also shows the child a way to turn the tables and repeat the same message to you someday.

Not a pretty picture, but we can change the colors by simply changing the brush. Instead of saying, “In a minute,” the next time your child wants attention, put down whatever you’re doing and give them a hug, listen to their stories, answer their requests. Show them how important they are to you. Remember God changed the world in a minute, with the birth of a child, the death of a man. Maybe we mere humans can’t change the world, but we can change the life of our child and plant the seeds to change the world. It only takes a minute.

Copyright © 2013, Christina Weigand

Christina Weigand

Christina Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of four. She is also Nana to three granddaughters. She lives with her husband and youngest daughter in Cranberry Twp. Pennsylvania, returning there after a short sabbatical in Washington. Currently, she’s working on fantasy novels and inspirational writing. Through her writing, she strives to share the Word of God and help people young and old to realize the love and mercy He has for everyone. When she’s not writing, she’s active in her local Church as a lector, Bible Study, volunteering at her daughter’s school helping the children develop a love for reading and writing. Jesus fills her home with love as she shares Him through her writing.