Yesterday I took Matthew and Aaron to Six Flags.  Aaron earned a ticket at school last year and Matthew got a coke can with a “buy one get one free” coupon.  How could I say no?  We arrived when it opened and stayed until 9PM.  This was their first visit to a Six Flags park and they were excited and thrilled by the rides.  Something struck me deeply within the first hour. 

I don’t do rides like I used to!  I remember riding the Scream Machine at the Atlanta Six Flags as a teen and loving it.  I remember a church youth trip where I nagged our Sr. Pastor (Pastor Pete Phillips) who seemed like an old man  at the time (probably around 50)  to ride the roller coaster with us.  He did and hated it.  I also don’t have the energy I used to.  By evening my legs were tired and my feet hurt from all of the walking.  I also noticed that getting my hair and clothing soaked from the water rides was not as exciting.  As I wondered why I did not get as excited about going on Kingda Ka (tallest coaster in the world) at 128 mph (yes, 128 mph) I looked around at other mom’s even younger than me who were sitting while watching the kids ride.  Finally I had to ask a small group of them if they had been on any of the many roller coasters at the park.  Their answer encouraged and relieved me.  I was encouraged that I was not the only mom that had decided to sit the ride out.  I was relieved to find that sitting out may not confirm I am ready for the old folks home.  Some of these women were in their early 30’s.  Several shared as they aged their bodies had changed and they get queasy on the rides.  Some shared they got headaches and other misc. ailments.  What we had in common is that the window of opportunity of running from one thrilling ride to another had been replaced with getting more pleasure from watching our children ride.  As I watched my boys ride some of the tallest and fastest coasters in the world I had another thought.

Every person in life will be given windows of opportunity.  A window is open for a while and then it closes. Forever.  We are given windows of opportunity in many areas….

We have a certain amount of time to build a good relationship with our parents, one day that window will be closed.

We have a certain amount of time to build a good relationship with our spouse, one day that window will be closed.  Forever.

We have a certain amount of time to build a good relationship, to build good memories and a strong Biblical foundation with our children, one day that window will be closed.

We have a certain amount of time to build a relationship with people, or to resolve a  conflict with someone, and then that window is closed. Forever.

We have a certain amount of time to share Christ with someone, and then that window will be closed.  Forever.

Sometimes we are given a window of opportunity to grow in certain areas with the Lord. Sometimes we are given a special ministry window of opportunity. 

Sometimes we are given a window of opportunity for a job or starting a new business.  We may have a window of opportunity in getting a good education.  Sometimes we may have an opportunity to be mentored by someone we can learn much from.  One day that window will be closed.  Forever.

What window of opportunity are you staring at today?  Is it a relationship?  A new ministry?  A new job?  What opportunities have you not taken that today you regret?  Is there an opportunity you are grateful for saying yes to?  We would love to hear from you.