May God, who gives patience, steadiness, and encouragement, help you to live in complete harmony with each other--each with the attitude of Christ toward the other.  Rom. 15:5, TLB

I have a dear friend who has an amazing gift.  When you are in a conversation with her, she looks into your eyes in such a way that you feel there is no one else in the world but you when you are speaking to her.  There can be all sorts of activity or distraction around you, but to her, you are the most important person in the world to her at that moment. You have her undivided attention, she listens intently, and you feel valued.

Conversely, have you ever been talking to someone, whether on the phone or in person, and got the impression from them that they were in a hurry to get on with more important matters? That you are an interruption in their schedule?  Of course, you have. We all have…and it doesn’t feel good.  At such times, we can feel devalued and empty, perhaps even unloved.  Maybe you have been that person in a hurry while in conversation with someone else.  In either case, why not do what author Monte Unger once suggested—tithe your time, that is, save up chunks, bits and pieces of it, and give them away to people who interrupt your pre-established plans? Caution: Time is the most precious of possessions.  No one receives more or less than you receive, but we can’t bank it or borrow from tomorrow. It is only available for today, at this very moment.

It is a great principle of love that people don't interrupt, not really. Perhaps there shouldn't even be such a word as interrupt; for when people come into your existence, even for a brief time, that is a wonderful moment of experience for both of you. Relish it. Probe it. Invest some of the time you have tithed.   Being too busy or too important to take time for others is a luxury we can ill afford in this day and time.

Think about it.  We have time for such things as email, Facebook, shopping, or our favorite television program.  But what about relationships with people?  Isn't that a great deal of what life is all about--loving other people?  Remember Jesus?  How he raced about, hurrying from one city to another, collecting great crowds on the way to give them a few minutes of hurried heaven-data, then dashing on to the next place?  Not!

No, that is not the picture of Jesus the New Testament gives. The series, The Chosen, I believe, shows this side of Jesus very well.  He had time for people.  Once, in a crowd, a woman touched his robe. There is a wonderful painting of this event in the Chapel of the Encounter in Magdala, Israel (see below). Lots of people were probably pushing against him, touching his robe, but he discerned the urgency in this particular touch.  He stopped, taking valuable time for this "interruption."  His disciples were full of fire and computer-like- efficiency.  They wanted to get on with the task of getting something done, even if they didn't always know what that "something" was.

Once a bunch of small, grimy-fingered kids came along and wanted to climb on the Master's lap. "Get those kids out of here," thought the goal-oriented disciples.

"No, let them stay. Let's enjoy them and let them enjoy us," said Jesus, who knew and expressed the great worth of the individual.

So, the next time a person "interrupts" you, try not to think of your work and your deadlines; rather, think of that person's needs, of his or her covert compliment in desiring to spend a few moments with you. Your meeting may be a significant point in each of your lives, because it is an encounter with another person God has created.   And who knows, you may impart something crucial to that person’s fulfillment--or they to yours.

The Apostle Paul prayed: "May God, who gives patience, steadiness, and encouragement, help you to live in complete harmony with each other--each with the attitude of Christ toward the other" (Rom. 15:5, TLB). Are you caught up on your time-tithe?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, remind us always of the precious gift of time.  And amid the haste and hubbub of our lives, help us to take the time to enjoy one another as special gifts from You.  Amen.

Fr. Steve+