Fifteen Minutes
Grace Andrews of Independence, MO, USA
May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace! -Psalm 29:11
In her book A Simple Gift of Comfort: Healing Words for Difficult Times, Jane Kirkpatrick shares these ideas: Instead of giving up an hour to think of what could or should have been, the wise soul makes a phone call to a friend; reads a book that brings laughter; ..and fills the time with what they decide will give them strength (Harvest House Publishers, 2008, ISBN 978-0736922326).
During the pandemic, I had eye surgery. Following surgery, my recovery depended on me staying in bed 24 hours around the clock with only 15-minute breaks every hour for up to two weeks.
What can you do in 15 minutes? I soon had to face the fact that it was not nearly enough time to do much of anything. Not enough time to prepare a meal and eat it, take a walk, vacuum floors, do the dishes, or get involved in a TV program. Lying in bed during the daytime I thought and planned what could be accomplished during my next 15-minute reprieve. Setting an alarm at the beginning of the 15 minutes, I bound out of bed only to have it ring incessantly before I could manage to get much of anything done. It was frustrating, yet I knew the treatment was necessary for healing.
Time is a gift, and 15 minutes is enough time to call someone who is suffering; it is enough time to find joy, peace, and thankfulness in having that time to heal; it is enough time to appreciate a wonderful husband who had food prepared and ready for each meal. It is enough time to look outdoors where life goes on and appreciate nature and birds singing. It is enough time to repeat daily, “This, too, will pass.”
What could you accomplish during a single 15-minute portion of every hour? What are your priorities? Try setting an alarm for that small segment of time and determine what you might do to bring happiness for you or someone else. Now that I am past that part of my healing, I have so much more appreciation for the gift of time that God has given me. I pray that I will not forget to use it well.
Prayer Phrase
Help us see beyond our dark places and find our way closer to your loving light.
Spiritual Practice
Healing for Broken Spirits
Begin with quiet prayer. Ask God to help you detect some “sore places” in the body of Christ and God’s creation. Become aware of people who feel separated, wounded, or left out. Reflect on or write a short journal entry of healing words to at least one person who comes to mind. Ask God for words that will touch this person’s broken spirit like healing ointment. Keep this person in your heart and prayers today and act on any ideas that come to bring blessing and wholeness.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
