Most of us have had moments where we were delayed. It can happen to anyone, traffic happened, a child got sick, or life interrupted our plans. However, there is something different about chronic lateness. It carries a message that often goes unspoken, yet deeply felt.
When someone consistently arrives late, it becomes disrespectful. The late are really spending someone else’s time, time that was intentionally set aside, carefully planned, and willingly offered.
Being on time takes effort and preparation.
Chronic Lateness Is Rarely About the Clock
Being repeatedly late is usually not a scheduling problem, it’s a priority problem.
Over time, others begin to adjust their expectations, and they stop relying, reliability fades, and when reliability fades, trust slowly follows.
The Emotion
People who are consistently kept waiting begin to feel unimportant or taken for granted. This can reshape a relationship, as respecting the time of others is one of the clearest ways we say “you matter” without speaking.
In a world where so many people feel unseen and hurried past, punctuality becomes a quiet but powerful act of kindness.
We cannot control every delay, but we can choose how seriously we treat the time others give us.
Because being on time is never just about a clock, it is about the value we place on people.
Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”