Simplicity

Simplicity

For everything there is a season,a time for every activity under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

A man at the Los Angeles International Airport was worried about missing his plane. He had no wristwatch and could not locate a clock, so he hurried up to a total stranger and said, “Excuse me, could you give me the time, please?”

The stranger smiled and said, “Sure.” He set down the two large suitcases he was carrying and looked at the watch on his wrist. “It is exactly 5:09. The temperature outside is 73 degrees, and it is supposed to rain tonight. In London the sky is clear and the temperature is 38 degrees Celsius. The barometer reading is 29.14 and falling. And, let’s see, in Singapore the sun is shining brightly. Oh, by the way, the moon should be full tonight here in Los Angeles, and . . .”

“Your watch tells you all that?” the man interrupted.

“Oh, yes, and much more. You see, I invented this watch, and I can assure you there’s no other timepiece like it in the world.”

“I want to buy that watch! I’ll pay you two thousand dollars for it right now.”

“No, it’s not for sale,” said the stranger as he reached down to pick up his suitcases.

“Wait! Four thousand. I’ll pay you four thousand dollars, cash,” offered the man, reaching for his wallet.

“No, I can’t sell it. You see, I plan to give it to my son for his twenty-first birthday. I invented it for him to enjoy.”

“Okay, listen—I’ll give you ten thousand dollars.”

The stranger paused. “Ten thousand? Okay. It’s yours for ten thousand even.”

The man was elated. He paid the stranger, took the watch, snapped it onto his wrist with glee, and said, “Thanks,” as he turned to leave.

“Wait,” said the stranger. With a big smile he handed the two heavy suitcases to the man and added, “Don’t forget the batteries.”

—Charles R. Swindoll

Father God, we know that time is really important only to us as human beings. Please help us to think beyond clocks and schedules to eternity, where time will disappear in the joy of your presence. Amen.