“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV).

I was meditating on Ephesians 5:15-16 yesterday, and I thought about how often I’ve been guilty of not making the best use of my time. I recalled the many times I’ve sacrificed the present day looking forward to another day, refusing to see the blessing of today in hopes of a better tomorrow. So, I wrote this poem, and I hope it encourages and challenges you.

“Wishing Time Away”

In my youth I met a man,

Whose musing I now understand,

He shared with me his great regret,

One he hoped I never met.

“In my childish mind each day,

I wished and dreamt the time away,

The clock would hardly move at all,

And days were paced at sluggish crawl,

Oh the price that I would pay,

If only I could skip today,

I’d never reach that special day,

If time continued on this way,

But when the special time arrived,

I never was quite satisfied,

So I would look for better ways,

To satisfy those empty days,

And pay the price of memories lost,

In hopes it would be worth the cost,

But in my wishing time away,

I missed the memory of the day.

Then a shift in paradigm,

Changed the way that I viewed time,

Suddenly a precious gift,

Whose passing presence was so swift,

That which crept so slowly by,

Grew some wings so it could fly,

And the broken clock that haunted me,

Is faster than it used to be,

Seconds pass and children grow,

Oh where, oh where, did my time go?

And all the while I wonder why,

I let the time just slip on by,

How I wish with longing heart,

That I could have another start,

Oh the price that I would pay,

To use my time a different way.”

Now staring at his lifeless frame,

I vow that I won’t be the same,

I’ll work to cherish everyday,

And never wish my time away.