Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Make Hay While the Sun Shines" (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (03/06/08)
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TITLE: T-I-M-E | Previous Challenge Entry
By Clyde Tew
03/13/08 -
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“Bob, this is Mark. I’ve got some bad news,” Mark announced to his son’s baseball coach. “I’ve had a late order come in from an important customer, so I won’t make the game tonight. I’ll try to be there Saturday, though.” Mark Peters had promised his son’s coach to help with the 3rd grade boys during the games this season. What’s worse, he had promised his son, Dan, that he would be helping Coach Bob.
“Sally! Honey, I’ve got good news,” Mark said as his wife answered the phone. “Mr. Donaldson gave us a big order. Isn’t that great! I’ll be working late tonight and probably work through the weekend to get it finished.”
Sally’s shoulders slumped. She was sure she would have to tell Danny that his Dad was too busy to make the ballgame. It wasn’t the first time she and the kids were bumped down the priority ladder for a customer of Mark’s. As their two-year-old, Madison, got older, Sally would have to comfort her as well.
Mark was a great provider so Sally and the kids didn’t complain, but didn’t they have enough things? All they wanted was Mark’s time. As the years went by, Mark continued to promise he would take off more time for family, but there was always something important at work that only Mark could handle. Even the programs at church seemed to rank above Mark’s family.
At a Christian businessmen’s luncheon that Mark attended the next week, the speaker was Bill Donaldson, a customer of Mark’s. Mr. Donaldson spoke on priorities. God first, family second, then business. Mr. Donaldson read from Deuteronomy 8:18, “But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you the power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
Mark thought to himself as he listened to the message, ‘If God gives me the power, can’t He also give me the time?”
Mr. Donaldson went on to talk about family. Reading from Matthew 16:26, he said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” “And, I might add,” Donaldson said, “his family’s soul.”
Mark’s heart was breaking and he barely heard the rest of the message. He loved Sally and the kids and was proud to have provided abundantly for them. But God was teaching Mark that there is a lot more to being a provider than finances and material things. He needs to also provide open arms, listening ears, and undivided time. Family, he was learning, spells love, t-i-m-e.
As the luncheon was ending, Mr. Donaldson approached Mark and asked, “Say Mark, can you get another order to me by Monday?”
“Sorry, Mr. Donaldson,” Mark said. “I’ve got plans with the family after Danny’s ballgame Saturday morning and Sunday I work only for God.” Mark was firm with Mr. Donaldson, and a little afraid that he might not get the order. “Will Wednesday morning work for you?”
Donaldson, realizing that Mark had paid attention to his message at the luncheon, said, “Sure. Wednesday will be fine.”
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