525,600 Minutes by Abby Rike

Before the wreck that took my husband, five and a half year old daughter, and two and a half week old son, I thought I had an endless supply of time. My family and I appreciated the days we had, but we also dreamed of all of the tomorrows. Then, in the blink of an eye, time with them here on this earth, was gone.

For a season, time was my enemy, and I longed for activities and people to fill those minutes, hours, and days. Loneliness engulfed me. Time was an eternity that I could not fill with enough people or activities to take away the empty space. I could not imagine a day flying by or ever being busy enough again to take my mind off of all the heaviness I felt.

Now I find myself on the other end of time….there just isn’t enough time to do all the things I want to do!

I have met some amazing people around the country when I’m speaking or doing book signings, realizing that now, I again, have people in my life that I would love to spend as many minutes with as possible. Yet as quickly as I make my new friends, I have to pack my bags and head to the next destination….time and distance prevent me from adequately maintaining these new-found friendships that I long for. And while I’m thankful to be busy, I find myself frustrated that I don’t have enough time to give to all the people I value and cherish. Connecting with people in an authentic way feeds my soul and makes life worth living.

I am also blessed with a core group of friends I truly love, but all my traveling prevents me from seeing and talking to them on a regular basis. Texts, emails, Facebook, and a quick phone call allow us to be a small part of each other’s worlds, but it’s just not the same as face time. And at the end of the day, people are what life is all about. The relationships we cultivate and the difference we make is what it’s all about. “Things” don’t feed us, people do!

So as I embark on this whirlwind that is my new life, I had this amazing thought….what if I could create a new land? Abby-land! This new land would have a plot designated for each member of my family, old friends, and new friends. We would then be close enough in proximity to take a stroll up the beautiful mountains or along the beach…. because Abby-land will have BOTH! We would also be able to grab a cup of coffee on a random Tuesday and chat uninterrupted for an hour or two, face-to-face. Time and distance will not be a factor. What am AMAZING place, right?!?

As I was imagining and savoring the thought of this Utopian place, it came to me - Abby-land is actually a rudimentary, simplistic form of what my human mind can conjure of Heaven. What peace and joy that thought brings! There will come a time when we will all be together without all the nonsense of this world. Makes me almost giddy!

“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away.” James 4:14
I realize that in this earthly life we are called to do something, and I know writing my book, speaking and reaching out to others, is my calling. And while this may take away from some of the earthly time I have, it will not take away from the eternity that is promised where I will have all of the time to spend and love on those who matter to me.

Whatever side of time you find yourself on, I urge you to relish the moments you have on this earth. If you are struggling, and in the midst of suffering, stand firm in knowing you will not always feel as you do. If you find yourself on the other end of time, battling to fit in everything on your “to do” list, slow down a minute and figure out what really matters. Make the MOST of your time!

I look forward to the day when we are all together! Until then…