Time To Show The Love

Every workday I come home for dinner on my lunch break. I have very limited time, and am always rushed, but I love doing it because I get to eat a good home cooked meal, and I get to see Kathryn and the kids for about 15-20 minutes while I eat. In order for me to get back to work on time, I have to leave the house exactly when our DVR clock says 9:16. If I leave any later I WILL be late. Every day I leave to head back to work at 9:16, and every day I get back to my line exactly at 9:30 (which is when we are supposed to be back from lunch). I usually try to start leaving the house a couple minutes early so that I can give Kathryn and the kids a hug and kiss goodbye. Tonight however I lost track of time watching a show on TV and did not notice until exactly 9:16. As the boss at work, I have stressed to some of my employees in the last couple weeks how important it is to be on time (that's another story). I try to set the example by making sure to always be on time. If I am going to hold them accountable, then I must also be held accountable to following the same rule. When I realized it was already 9:16 I jumped up and headed straight for the door. When I reached for the door knob Kathryn asked me "Don't I get a kiss?" I responded, "I don't have time." and then I blew her a kiss and headed out the door. Immediately after leaving a very clear, and not quite so still and small voice, as some people have described it, rebuked me saying, "NEVER tell your wife you don't have time for her. She and your kids are the most important thing in your life." By the time the sentence was finished I had my hand on the car door ready to open it and get in. Realizing that the voice was right, I turned around and headed back to the front door to unlock it and go inside. As I opened the front door Kathryn asked, "What are you doing?" I responded, "Sorry, I always have time" and gave her a kiss. We told each other "Love You" and I headed back out the door. I fully expected to be late getting back to work, however I did not care because I knew I had done the right thing. When I got back to my line I was surprised to be the first one back, and noticed that the clock said 9:29. I had one minute to spare. I still have no idea how this happened after having used those extra few minutes to go back in the house. This was not the first time I had left the house in a hurry after my lunch break. Every other time I had left even just one minute late, I arrived late back to my line. This was also not the first time I had left the house without kissing Kathryn, and had told her in the past that I did not have time and needed to leave. Those other few times I had felt bad, but never had the spirit of the Lord tell me to go back. So, why was this time different? Here's why. After I got back to work I looked at my phone, and I had a text message from Kathryn. It said, "Thankyou sweetie!!! You'll never know how much that meant to me, especially today :) I love you so so much!" In a later text she told me she had been having a bad week. This time she needed it. God, her Father, was mindful of her. He knew what she needed at that moment. I am so grateful that he so clearly chastised me and that it was clear and loud enough for me to hear it, and knew that I must heed to it no matter what the consequence might be (ie: being late). I am also glad that because I did so that I was blessed and still was able to make it back to work on time. This was a valuable lesson to me that there is always time to let our loved ones know how much we care. Nothing else will ever be as important as that.



Keith