Are we spending our time wisely?

Sinclair Lewis, America’s first Nobel Prize winner for literature, made an observation about culture in his novel, Main Street. “The greatest mystery about a human being is not his reaction to sex or praise, but in the manner in which he contrives to put in twenty-four a hours day. It is this which puzzles the longshoreman about the clerk, the Londoner about the bushman.”

Lewis echoes a theme from Scripture. The psalmist wrote, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) Jesus taught about he final judgement, based on how “the manner in which we contrive to put in twenty-four hours a day.” (Matthew 25) And, Saint Paul adds a sober reminder, “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:9,10)

A poem sometimes used in funeral services captures my thoughts more cleverly.

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning... to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth and spoke the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the “dash” between those years. (1934 -1998)
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth...and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own; the cars...the house...the cash, what matters is how we live and love and how we spend our “dash”.
So think about this long and hard...are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile...remembering that this special “dash” might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash...would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your “dash”?
Copyright by Linda Ellis

By the way, Main Street is a fascinating study and great read.