time

I can hardly believe 

the number on the calendar

15

today is the fifteenth

where  oh where does time go

second upon second

minute upon minute

hour upon hour

days

weeks

months

I want to shout STOP

just 

STOP

and let me revel in this moment

at this time this day, this month, this year

but I know time ticks on

time was not created to stand still

but to be a marker of moments

hours, days, weeks, years

a marker of milestones

of family, friends, acquaintances

of appointments,

meetings

and coffee dates

in my life lately time has marked

advent walk through 

ministry retreaters

Christmas parties

and family birthdays

and everything that belongs to this wonderful season of Christmas

time ticks on

and I find myself attending my grandchildren 's Sunday school program

and my grandson's kindergarten concert

beaming

waving like a granny gone mad lol

and sitting misty-eyed

because I am remembering other times

of Christmas pageants and school concerts

and yet it feels like yesterday

when I got to the school an hour before in order to get a good seat

time

you measure moments

celebrations 

but also sorry and life changing events

we wait for time to pass

then lament where it has gone

It is a respecter of no one

although at times we hear that "time has been good to them"

time teaches us that we need to treasure the gift of today

without trying to rush to the surprise of tomorrow

time ticks

as hair turns grey 

and hands wrinkle

and steps get slower

and yet in one's mind "it seems like yesterday"

time

my best friend  - my not so best friend :)

you make me frazzled when overbooked

and yet at other times you make me quite content in the moment

fully aware

fully awake

fully alive

to the time around me - 

to sights, sounds, smells 

without you

I'd never know the grace that comes with age

the wrinkles that come with laughter

and the wisdom that comes with living life

without you

id never move out of my cozy house

or comfy pew

or complacent job

or walk in adventures with my husband, my kids and my grandkids

without time

i would never see my grandkids grow

and run and talk

i would never see the beauty that God brings our of ashes

I would never see the forgiveness that happens after its worked through

I would never see the heart heal after broken into a million pieces

I would never venture out in boldness 

and Id never learn to count my blessings

time you are my friend and sometimes you feel like my foe !!

you felt like you were never ending when I was a child

carefree and living a simple and good life

but now as and adult you cause me to reflect backward and sometimes i feel old

time

you have reached through the good times

but felt like you stood still during the sorry

and yet time

you've grown me

you've defined moments in my life

you have sealed occasions in my memory

and have made me realize in retrospect

the great life God has given me

through my 57years of time

time

you measure my life

but you are a gift from God

and I am so thankful

- Joy

December 15, 2015

"time has a wonderful way

to show us what really matters"

- Margaret Peters