Time

 

‘Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day…

…Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time
Plans that either come to naught, or half a page of scribbled lines
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way
The time is gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say’

 

(from ‘Time’ by Pink Floyd, from the album ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’, 1973)

 

 

 

There are several folks who visit our home or stay over (indeed, even some who live here!) who find the sound of ticking or chiming of clocks disturbing or disruptive. Sometimes we have to stop the clocks to prevent the ticking keeping folks awake, and one of our (admittedly loud!) chiming clocks is now set not to chime, which – for me personally – is a great shame! I love the sound of ticking clocks and I enjoy the regular chimes. I find it all strangely comforting, as well as slightly sobering. Time is passing, and I cannot deny it. But that is ok.

I have said before in some of the posts on my blog that I am very comfortable with the passing seasons of life, and with the stage at which I now find myself.

However, sometimes I am also a little disconcerted by the apparent pace of time! Gosh, it passes quickly, does it not?

I was walking the dog earlier today and I was struck by the signs of autumn, with the leaves turning and falling. Autumn already! I gather that already people are planning for Christmas (I know… shocking, but true). And, speaking of the dog, our once youthful, playful, mischievous, energetic little puppy, is now facing many of the ailments and restrictions of being old. How did that happen? It has all been so quick!

In just a few months, Jane and I will celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary… yes, 50 years! And, as if that was not enough of a thought, we find that our grandchildren provide a constant and continual reminder of how quickly the years go.

Time flies.

Well, yes, of course it does. And yet, I am not at all resentful or despairing. As I write this, I can hear a couple of clocks ticking gently in the background, and still find them gently reassuring and comforting.

I have to say that I think a lot about time, and its passing. I ponder my current age and stage, and sometimes make mention of it in conversation. But not in any morbid or depressed way. Far from it. I think in times past I thought too much about the passing of time in a more negative way. I was so future focussed that I did not spend enough time enjoying the present, or reflecting upon the past.

Now it is different; as the clocks tick, I find myself happily cherishing many good memories, and gently enjoying the present moment. I am honest and realistic about the future and am often reminded that time is – if not short – neither is it endless, and that is just fine, thank you. Meanwhile, I find I can appreciate the ‘now’ much more than I used to.

For me, there is a bigger reality behind and beneath and beyond all of this passage of time. My faith is in One who holds all of time in his hands. And who holds me also in his hands, now and for all of eternity.

Jesus said ‘"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (Revelation 22:13).

I have shared before that as the years pass, in terms of my faith, I get more and more sure about less and less! This assurance of being held in the hands of the One who holds in his hands all of existence, even time and eternity, is one of these things of which I am increasingly sure.

And as the clocks go on ticking, I remember that too.