40 Acts of Lent: Day 19 - on time

Act nineteen - On Time  by Chine McDonald
What does being on time have to do with generosity? A whole heap more than you'd think. Keeping others waiting starts with a belief – however buried – that our time is worth more than theirs. We can become expert in finding reasons why our lateness is justified but do we consider the impact it has? Time to consider the generosity of punctuality. Challenging a lifestyle of lateness is a simple way to start being generous in unexpected ways. Rally yourself up to the task of being on time.

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you..." 

                                                                                                                      (Matthew 7:12 NIV)
           
When I was younger, I was a stickler for timekeeping. Perhaps as an unconscious effort to rebel against the concept of 'African Time' that I had grown up experiencing, I hated the idea of being late. As the editor of a magazine, I remain that little girl who will do anything to be on time – even if it means less sleep. As someone who has always wanted to be a journalist, I have grown up revering the Holy Grail that is 'The Deadline'. Journalists are slaves to them. We thrive on the adrenaline that comes with an impossible deadline. If we fail to meet them, we feel our journalistic credentials are somehow tarnished. But it's not just about our CVs. A reporter on a paper who fails to file a story in time holds up the whole production line – the subs desks, the printers and the delivery vans, which means the newsagents don't get their stock and Mrs Smith isn't able to read her paper over breakfast.

Journalistic deadlines aside, I've found that as I've grown older, and maybe more self-centred, I've become less punctual. Instead of a desperate scramble to make sure I get to an appointment early, I've become comfortable sauntering in two, three, five, or even ten minutes late. Maybe because I've stopped off to get a coffee beforehand. Maybe because I just had to have those extra few moments in bed. Maybe because I've essentially been thinking about what's most comfortable for me, even if it means making others wait.

Being punctual is more than just good manners. It's a mark of consideration for others and a demonstration of the Golden Rule in which Jesus commands us in Matthew 7:12: 'So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.'

Choose how to complete this act...
GREEN OPTION:
What and who needs you to be on time today? Make sure you arrive/deliver/respond on time. (And if you've arranged to meet a friend today, avoid the 'running a few minutes late' text by setting out                    ten minutes before you need to.)

YELLOW OPTION:
How about being early? Send what you need to send before the deadline, arrive early to greet your colleagues before work today, arrive early to catch friends when you hang out with them. And so on.

RED OPTION:
Early AND organised? Arrive early to that meeting or get-together, organise the room if it needs it, get the refreshments in, and sort out everyone's favourite treat.
           You never know, you might make their day.