Wow, how time flies? I know that everyone has heard a parent
or grandparent utter these words, followed by a semi silent sigh. I find myself
using this, especially at Christmas. It seems like only yesterday I was putting
the finishing touches on a major home repair before the holidays arrived.
Before we know it, we are all planning and decorating for this years’ Christmas
celebrations.
I remember as a child waiting for the first snow flake to
fall, so we could countdown to Christmas morning. My siblings and me would be
vibrating with anticipation of our dad putting up the tree, and lights so we
could decorate. December was the longest month of the year, and the twelve days
of Christmas seemed so long. The magical morning would arrive and we were up
before the crack of dawn. Why? Well it was because Christmas had arrived.
Presents and paper were to be torn open. It was in those precious few minutes
that we saw what we hoped were the wishes and wants. Watching over us were my
parents, through their weary sleep deprived eyes.
It wasn’t until we were much older did we realize the
sacrifices that our parents made, just so we would be happy. In later years,
this history would repeat itself as my wife and I would do the same thing for
our children. Yes, we did what we could to make sure that Christmas morning was
magical for our kids. We began to understand what our parents and grandparents
meant by how quickly time flew. We had gone from being kids without a care, to
adults watching and racing to live by the clock. When we are children, the
world is provided for us, so the hours of the day are not watched or measured.
As we get older, our responsibilities tie us to a watch on our wrist, and to
the worlds’ deadlines.
It seems that I pay more attention to time as I age, because
I now have less of it left, than I have used. Christmas seems to be a mark
where we can recount the previous year to see how we faired out. This year I
have witnessed profound changes in the lives of friends and loved ones. Some
have come to the Lord, some have gone on to be with Him, and some have faced
health challenges and changes that make us stand still and evaluate what is
really important. I see God in so many of these things, and I realize that He
has had His hands on all of our lives.
Christmas is the perfect time to sit in the dappled light of
your decorated tree, rewind the tape, and give thanks. Marvel at what this
child, Jesus was borne into, and how He changed the world. Take a little time
to give thanks, because it really does fly.
Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment