Hi everyone,
So I admit I’m in a bit of a time crunch today… see I’m rushing off to attend our second son’s 10th birthday party. Weird, I know, but birthday parties on Sunday are cheaper and draw out more people… but my goodness it feels busy. Or perhaps you’re surprised that he’s turned 10 already? Well then you might be more surprised when you hear that our eldest son is turning 13 in just a couple weeks…
Wow, time sure flies when it flies, am I right? I used to joke about how other more seasoned parents would tell me to cherish our time with them when they are young because I’ll blink and they’d be all grown up, and I would keep blinking but somehow they stayed small. And truthfully, they are still pretty young, I’m cherishing this time that I don’t have to hand over car keys or count my beer bottles to make sure nothing is missing.
However, I see that our son is 10 because 10 years have passed since he was born. Last week my mom commented on how her grandchildren have aged so much in the past two years of pandemic, and I said actually we all aged the same amount. It’s funny how it seems like time moves faster in some and slower in others (or perhaps that’s just denial talking).
The fact is, time moves the same for all of us. We all age at the same pace, regardless if you’re young or old, rich or poor, famous or not. Sure, some may hold onto their youth better than others, but we cannot change how many actual years we’ve spent alive on this planet.
While this might sound depressing and grim, I think it is actually liberating as time is something we don’t need to worry about. I know, we still do somehow, but if we concede to the fact that time will move as it moves, we can use our energy in other things, like loving our neighbours, caring for others, and serving our God in faith and trust.
Ok, I better finish this before I’m late.
These are the readings for next week:
Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9
So these texts seem pretty grim too. However, just like I was saying up there, I think it’s actually liberating. It’s liberating because we don’t have to worry about other people and what evils they might have committed. We don’t have to worry about why bad things have happened to good people. We don’t have to worry about whether or not we’re loved by God.
The thing is, just like how time happens to all of us, so will bad things. Yes, some bad things are worse than others. But bad things will continue to happen to us, regardless if we are young or old, rich or poor, famous or not. And when they happen (which they will), it doesn’t help the situation to blame others or external forces on it, but rather we can look to see where God’s love is shining through the pain and suffering.
Not causing the pain and suffering, mind you, but in providing support through it, showing love through others, and lifting you up in strength to endure whatever it is that you’re going through. Perhaps it’s time spent with an old friend. Maybe it’s hearing the birds singing signs of spring coming soon. Or maybe it’s half a dozen or so crazy kids jumping their butts off at a trampoline park.
Whatever it is, know that bad happens to us all. Good will also come. And when it does, we can cherish it and be reminded of how loved we are by God and our community, now and always.
Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!
Photo by Hamid Roshaan on Unsplash