I love this season, but I have a confession to make. Even after years of sitting in the stands watching three boys play, I still don’t completely get the game. I’m not one of those "knowledgeable moms" who seems to understand every nuance of the game.

Recently Dad was screaming to the running back to get out of bounds. I wondered aloud why anyone would want to do this. Dad patiently explained that the clock stops when the player goes out of bounds. Late in the game this gives more time to make a plan for a touchdown. Hmm, I never thought of that.

While running out of bounds on the field may stop the clock, it doesn’t work like that in real life. The hands of time tirelessly travel around the clock without pausing for a moment. That’s why it’s imperative to consider the important things in life while there is still time.

Jesus was telling His followers that the time of His death was near. The people were confused and answered, "We have heard the Christ is to remain forever."

Jesus responded that His light would only be with them for a little longer. "While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of the Light."

The time for them to make their decision concerning God’s Light was upon them – the sand in the hourglass was running down. The clock could not be stopped.

The same is true for us today. The time to believe in Christ is now because we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. The time to love our family is today because next week may never come. And the time to make wise decisions is immediate because consequences of bad ones cannot be put on pause.

Nothing stops when you run out of bounds here.

Some Friday night, in a tense football moment, I may join the other more knowledgeable moms screaming, "Get out of bounds!" But more importantly, as every wise mama would also say, "Make the right decisions today because in the game of life there is no stopping the clock."

Sandra Sheridan is a Midwest wife and mother of five. She shares her messages to her children with Farm World. Visit her at www.VersesFromMama.blogspot.com