Benjamin Button

I woke up this morning thinking about Benjamin Button, both the movie and the person. As far as the movie is concerned I really enjoyed it. It was thoughtful and well done. Brad Pitt's character (Benjamin) was a little difficult for me to swallow. It brought back memories of how Pitt played the angel of death in "Meet Joe Black". Very little emotion. Nevertheless the story was captivating. In some way we all want to turn back time and do things differently or take greater advantage of what has been given.

I'm 41 years old. Although 40 is the new 20, it feels like my life is half over. Are there things I would go back and change? Absolutely. Would I spend my time and money differently? Yes. Can I turn back time? Obviously not.

The movie forces you to think about these kinds of issues. The apostle Paul in the New Testament speaks of time. He says something kind of strange. "Be careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity". Making the most of every opportunity literally means to rescue from loss. The implication is that we are all losing time, it's slipping away, but we are challenged to wisely grab it and make the most of it.

When thinking about making the most of every opportunity my mind has to run to how I interacted with God and people. This especially relates to thinking through 08. This year was I faithful to pursue and love God and others to the max? Did I maximize my time, energy and money or did I squander it? Sure, I can't change what happened but there is value in looking back and asking God to teach me.

There is one area in particular that needs greater focus, time with my kids. Don't misunderstand, I get good time with my family, I simply want my time with them to be extraordinary. At the end of the day I long that my children know they are loved by their dad, both earthly and heavenly. It's pretty simple how they know I'm crazy about them...time. It needs to be a great priority for me to chase their hearts this year. At Benjamin and Daisy's daughter's first birthday party the guy in the kitchen said it well, "you turn around and their in high school", or in my case college. So painfully true.

So, may 2009 be a year where each of us pursues God and others (especially those closest to us) in a fresh way. May God give us the grace to make the most of every opportunity and use the gifts he has given to the max.