“If you’re calling to check when you need to report for jury service, press 1 …”

I did.

“As of this time you are not needed to serve. Check back tomorrow after 5 pm.”

I’d been on call for federal jury duty for eight days without having to report in. Friday was almost the last day of my on-call status and, guess what, I commuted over the hill to San Jose to check in at 7:45 am!

But these last eight days have given me the gift of unexpected time. I kept my calendar clear, knowing I might be unavailable. As a result, I’ve read more, filed for renewal of Don’s passport, visited with Mom, and picked up olive oil and flavored balsamic vinegars (how does chocolate balsamic sound to you? Or lemongrass mint?). I reorganized the pantry after Don repaired a leak, removed and replaced part of the wall.

AFTER – So much fun to paint!

Don and I relaxed on the porch glider, catching up on our respective days’ work. And I sat on the corner of our front deck, skies sunny and blue, and chalk painted a small table and desk. This was a new project for me and I loved doing it. Not quite finished, but the basic painting is done; I will add a few more stenciled paint areas and then seal the pieces.

Twenty years ago I had allergies (to grass, trees, weeds, chemicals and lots of other things) that were so severe I lived indoors. I couldn’t sit outside without getting sick. So imagine my gratitude at the blessing of being able to enjoy these lovely and renewing moments in God’s creative beauty.

Unexpected time–how do we use it? One of those mornings I thought of what I wanted to accomplish,  including delivering a Valentine’s gift from Don and me to Mom. After stopping at the library, I called her. She was eager for company and had a Bible study in an hour; had I called a bit later she would have been out of the house. When we’re open to God’s leading for our day, He opens doors, like the timing of my call to Mom. So Paigey and I buckled in and enjoyed seeing Mom open her Shari’s Berries, which she graciously shared with me.

I just read an article entitled “What would you do if you had twenty minutes to live?” It focused on the fear and panic after the recent mistaken account of a missile headed to Hawaii. One of my FB friends reported that his 11- or 12-year old grandson called from Hawaii to say he loved them, and goodbye. That’s overwhelming! Fortunately this was a false alarm. But the fear and panic were real.

So what would I do if I knew I had twenty minutes to live? I’m not sure … I would want to say goodbye to dear ones, would want to hold/be held by Don, caress Paigey. I’d also want to challenge those dearest to me who aren’t walking with Jesus to commit their lives to Him. Twenty minutes isn’t a lot of time.

I need to live now as if my life might end tonight. Which it could. I need to live for Jesus Christ; to tell my loved ones how precious they are to me; and not to wait until the “last minute,” which may come without warning.

Here’s the Apostle Paul’s challenge:

We try to live in such a way that no one will ever be offended or kept back from finding the Lord by the way we act, so that no one can find fault with us and blame it on the Lord. II Corinthians 6:3

So, if you had twenty minutes to live, how would you use them?