God's Consequence When We're Selfish With Our Time ⏱
We only have 24 hours a day....How will we use them for God?...
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
— Psalms 90:12
Julia drops her phone on the kitchen floor. Is this someone’s idea of a funny prank? Lord, I hope so.
She bends down, shaking, and rereads the text message she’s dreaded for years.
“Helen’s dying. Call me ASAP.”
She dials the sender, supposedly William, Helen's assistant.
“Hey, Julia.”
“It is you. What's going on?”
William sputters between sobs. “She fell down the stairs at home. Broke her hip and slammed her head.” He blows out a breath. “She's not going to make it.”
Julia collapses onto a barstool at the kitchen island. “Can’t they do something? Surgery?”
“Doctor says it’s no use at her age. Machines are keeping her alive now.”
“I can't believe this is happening. We just talked last week.”
“I'm sorry. But she wants to see you. Says she’s got one more message to share with the world before she meets Jesus. And you need to write it.”
Julia straightens. “Me? I’d be honored. Can I go there at noon?”
“No. You need to leave now. She won't last much longer. Maybe an hour or two.”
“Oh my gosh. I’m out the door.”
Julia hangs up, taps on Uber, and grabs her bag, running toward the stairs of her apartment building.
The significance of this trip strikes her as she charges down the steps.
Her hero, Helen Wilksbury, the mentor who inspired her to write, the iconic author who gave Julia a chance when no one else would, is about to die. And now she gets to craft her final story. What a blessing.
Julia scampers onto the downtown Raleigh sidewalk, pacing between fire hydrant and street sign. The tiny Uber car icon creeps along two blocks away. The clock flashes 8:05am. Come on.
“Excuse me, M'am.” A guy approaches bearing a gaunt face, wearing a tattered New York Giants t-shirt and baggy sweatpants with holes in the knees. “Do you have any change?”
Julia glances at him, then returns to her phone, holding up a hand. “Sorry, don’t carry cash.”
He nods, picking at his arm with black fingernails. “Seems most people don’t nowadays. Any chance you could get me some food?” He points at the 7-11 window behind them.
The Uber turns the corner on the map, now coming down her street.
“M'am? Did you hear me?”
“Huh? No, like I said, I don't have any money.”
“That's not what I asked.”
A lime-green Toyota Prius pulls up, Uber sticker on the windshield.
Julia points at the car. “That’s my ride.” She hops in the back seat, shutting the door quicker than usual.
The driver, Melissa, shifts into drive and eases into traffic. “Good morning.”
Julia stares at the buildings whizzing by. What’s Helen going to reveal? I hope she's saved her best for last.
Melissa tilts her head toward the back. “I love your red hair.”
Julia glances over just long enough to see Melissa’s hand propped on her protruding belly. “Thanks.”
“Who knows,” Melissa says, pointing at her tummy, ”maybe some red will sneak into his.”
Julia nods while peeking at her phone. 8:15am.
“I know I look like a kid myself,” she says, twisting a strand of hanging blonde hair between her fingers. “This wasn't on purpose.”
“It happens a lot.”
"Yeah. Decided to keep him though. Even after his dad disappeared.” Her chin trembles. “Too bad my parents ain’t supportive.”
Julia taps her fingers on the arm rest. 8:18am.
“Do you have kids?” Melissa says, taking a tissue from the center console.
“No. Don't have time for them.”
“I get it. My cousin has two under two already. She's always tired. I love ‘em though.”
Melissa stops behind a long line of cars.
Julia stretches over the passenger seat for a better look. “What’s going on?”
Melissa scrolls on her phone. “Looks like an accident. Must be a pretty bad one.” Her voice cracks. “I don't know how I’ll take care of this kid by myself.”
Julia rolls down her window and sticks her head out.
“I'm really scared. Maybe I made the wrong choice keeping him. I don't know.”
Julia drops back in the seat and grabs her bag. “I'm getting out here.”
“You sure?”
“The hospital’s only a mile. I’ll walk.”
She steps out as Melissa rolls down the passenger window. “Nice talking with you.”
Julia waves and keeps moving.
She marches up the sidewalk, inhaling the exhaust of idling cars as they bake in the ruthless summer sun. She checks her phone. 8:40am.
Wiping sweat from her brow, she reaches the last intersection before the hospital. Traffic halts at the aftermath of a four-car pile-up. Three sedans and a pick-up lay smashed, airbags deployed. A fire truck, two ambulances, and three police cruisers flash reds and blues.
Medics lift a little girl, looking about seven or eight, onto a stretcher. She screams as they roll her toward an ambulance.
Julia averts her eyes from the carnage.
She enters the main hospital entrance and darts for the reception desk. “I need to see Helen Wilksbury, please.”
A nurse leads Julia to Helen’s room, giving her condolences along the way. Julia cracks the door and peeks inside.
Helen lies in bed, head slightly propped, eyes closed. Julia shuffles in and pulls up a chair. The squeaking must have stirred Helen. She opens her eyes.
“You made it.”
Julia smiles. “Of course I did.”
“You're never late for a good story.”
“I'm sorry this happened to you.”
Helen shrugs, grimacing from obvious pain. “I'm not. Sounds like I'll be with The Lord soon.”
“Yeah,” Julia says with a nod. “William said you have a story to share before God takes you.”
“I do. Sort of.”
Julia cocks her head with a scrunched brow.
“Not really a story. But a final message. Just for you.”
“For me?”
“I knew the allure of a sensational story would get you here. You can’t help yourself. Otherwise, you probably wouldn’t have shown.”
“That's not true.”
“Oh, Honey, yes it is. You know how I know?”
“How?”
“Because you're just like me.”
“I am?”
“Sure are. Miss Productivity. Always trying to squeeze results outta every second of life.”
“Isn't that a good thing?”
“If God’s leading the way. But are you devoting your time to His agenda? Or yours?
Julia motions as if she’s going to talk, but Helen cuts her off.
“Our time is the most valuable resource He gives us here. Why? It's scarce. And we don’t know how much each of us has left.”
“In that case, I'm going to take advantage of every one.”
“That’s what I thought for the last seventy years. I wrote hundreds of best-selling books, many sharing The Good News. I checked off every box of success. Now look around this room.” Helen coughs. “Do you see anyone else?”
Julia glances around then looks down. “No.”
“Because I was selfish with my time, drunk on my dreams and aspirations. I missed many chances to serve others for the Lord. Now no one will give me a second of their day. Can’t say I blame them.
“I forgot that God runs my calendar, not me. Sure, He doesn't want me saying yes to everything, but He sure as heck wants me saying yes to Him.”
Julia fidgets with the strap of her bag, trying to contain the bubbling tears. “What do I do now?”
Helen slides her shaking hand across the sheets. “Sit with me.”
Julia accepts her gentle grasp. “Can we pray?”
“Sure,” Helen says, “only if you lead.”
“Good, because I have a long list, starting with a little girl in this hospital.”