Take the Time

My husband asked me to sit and watch them work on an outside clean up project. The temperature wasn’t ideal, I was just getting over the flu, and had a million reasons to stay inside. Everything within me wanted to sit in my comfortable recliner on a heating pad and nap between writing projects. But there was a gentle tug pulling me outside; a nudge I’ve been trying harder to listen to lately.

I bundled up and found a yard chair in the sun where I could see their progress. They were cleaning up an overgrown area and finding all sorts of buried treasures. Broken shovels, pieces of rebar, plastic buckets, and broken deer antlers filled the “keep” pile. With each new discovery, my husband and sons ran over to the item with excitement, inspected it, and decided to keep or toss it.

“Oh my gosh. It’s CHESTER!” Daniel disappeared behind the weeds and dug barehanded into the ground. “And here’s his leg. Here’s the other one.” He continued reaching into the soil.

My other son joined, “Here’s another leg. And the other. We found Chester!”

The boys reassembled the plastic coyote hunting decoy and stood back admiring their prize.

“He’s gonna make a great mascot for the camp.”

And both boys disappeared behind the house.

 

Laughter and Entertainment

“Let’s make a haul down to the camp. You grab Chester and I’ll carry his legs.”

The boys hopped onto their four wheelers holding random body parts. Daniel tucked Chester’s body into his jacket like a sacred acquisition and Carter tucked the legs under his thighs. They giggled as they took off into the woods.

Once they returned, each of them grabbed a set of broken deer antlers to carry to the camp. Daniel put his set behind his head like the dog on The Grinch movie and a giant clump of dirt rolled down his shirt collar. We got tickled watching him squirm and wiggle. With each trip to the camp and back, they returned laughing and filled with joy. They worked hard and had fun while doing it.

I stepped inside to check the laundry and that nudge came back. Look what you would have missed if you’d stayed inside. We practically laughed the entire two hours we were outside and the boys enjoyed helping their dad find random treasures. I would have missed seeing their excitement, sense of humor, and goofiness. And I would have missed them showing off their finished product and wanting my approval. I would have missed them.

 

What If?

What if the circumstance was different?

Or what if I stayed inside instead of sitting in the yard with my family?

My family would have had a good time with each other. They would have laughed and made new memories with each other. The yard cleaning would have still happened, and the items would have all been delivered to the camp.

But I would have missed the blessing.

I would have missed the joy of watching my kids experience a moment in their lives.

I would have missed the pure joy and swelling of my heart as I watched them interact humorously.

It was worth taking the time.

 

Taking the Time

When I’ve talked with different people who have lost loved ones, they never wish for more gifts from that person. They always long for more time. Many say they don’t care if they were helping them fold underwear or wash dishes, if they could only have one more hour, one more day, or one more year they’d be forever grateful.

I struggle in the time department. An introvert by nature, I guard my alone time. I love people, but after so much time around others, I’m peopled out. It’s hard to “give up” my alone time for seemingly silly activities like sitting in the yard watching my family work. But in hindsight, when I take the time to be fully present, I am blessed beyond measure.

This holiday season, I need to remind myself that all the details don’t matter as much as the time with my people. Even if I could be doing something “more productive” than being with my family, I need to remember that being with those I love is one of the most important things I can do this season. Presents won’t replace presence. Busy won’t replace presence. Food won’t replace presence.

When God nudges my heart, I need to pause and pay attention. Often he has unexpected blessings waiting for us if we will stop and engage.

What will it take to fully be present with the people we love this holiday season?

(More from inspire a Fire Writers: Remembering When with Family – Inspire A Fire)

Copyright Christy Bass Adams, December 2025, All images from Canva