Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Time Change

When I was a little girl I don't remember springing forward or falling back....is that because when I was a little girl we didn't do it? When in the world did we start this whole "daylight saving time" anyway? As if we actually save any daylight. You can't save daylight, I mean how would you save it...in mason jars? ziplock bags? suitcases? If you actually saved an hour every day think how many hours you'd have by the end of the season. Would they fit in a big chest or would you be pushing them down and closing the lid real quick like I have to do now because I have too many pairs of pajamas to fit in a drawer?

And what is it about pajamas that makes me have way too many? I mean I think they call my name when I walk by the lingerie department! It doesn't matter if it's Dillards or WalMart; pajamas wherever they come from are just cute. And even though I've got a half dozen pair, and why in the world would I need that many, I usually end up wearing a tee shirt and an old pair of men's pajama bottoms.

And why do I prefer men's pajama bottoms? They make women's pajama bottoms. Sometimes they look just like the men's. But I still want the men's. I don't want to look like a man; I just want his pajama bottoms. Not any particular man's pajama bottoms mind you, just the ones in the store and not the ones on some man. Not that I see many men in pajama bottoms anyway. I have no idea where this is going.

Oh yea, I was going to talk about time. In Esther Mordecai says to her (through an intermediary since he wasn't allowed to go into the harem quarters) "who knows but you were born for just such a time as this." That's not really an exact quote but you've heard it a hundred times before so you know what I'm talking about. Anyway, I just want to tell you that you were born for just such a time as this. Now I'm not a prophet or anything - I'm just sayin' whatever your circumstances are they are part of your destiny. However you're spending your time is shaping who you are and what you will become and someday will be part of your history, and your history is part of your destiny. If that's true, and I believe that it is, I want the things I'm filling my time with to be things I can look back on and smile about. I want to remember that I played with a child and let the dusting go. I want to remember that I talked on the phone for two hours with one of my children and put my stitching aside. I want to remember that I took food to the homeless shelter when times were hard and gave a down-and-out man a ride and a meal card even though he smelled like beer. I want to remember that I sent thinking of you cards to friends who were fighting battles they might or might not win. I want to decorate my home with beloved things because I want my home to welcome friends and family and draw them in so I can love on them. I want to read my Bible and talk to my God and feel peace in my soul.

What are you doing with your time? Tell me one thing you're doing at this time in your life that you are going to look back on and smile about when you're 90. Tell me so I can do those things too because I want to smile a lot and have tons and tons of laugh lines.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ok I have the tissue out...You are so right!! When my mom was in the hospital last week. We didn't know what was going to happen. All I could think was "I wish I would of.." I gave up my cleaning jobs so I can help her more. I am not upset about it at all. I am so happy ohh I am blessed ..I can do it. I realized that I need to prioritize MY TIME. We are not just doing it for here and now...the things we do in love for the Lord is eternal. We never waste time doing things in LOVE!!
Thank you for this post!!!
Blessings,
Julie

Lori said...

I'm trying to slow down and savor each moment for we never know when those moments may be gone. I've said "No" to more commitments and am going to try and unplug from a few things this summer to spend more time with family, my grandbabies and on the motorcycle.

Laura said...

Great post! I have really worked hard the past couple of years to stop wasting time doing things I don't enjoy and that aren't really necessary.

Most recently Facebook has allowed a lot of my extended family to reconnect when we haven't been in touch for years. I'm hoping when I'm 90 that I can look back and see that this reconnection was just the beginning of a long, lasting relationship with these family members.

Arkansas Patti said...

You are doing it all just right. Whenever I think of something interesting to do, a person to see, or a place to go, I act right then. The dusting will wait for me. The only thing I don't put off these days are doctors appointments.

L in the Southeast said...

Kudos for a great, inspirational post. I am concentrating on staying healthy and making myself feel energetic and vibrant. I have been to the gym every day except Sunday for the past week. Water aerobics, Silver Sneakers classes, recumbent bike and treadmill. Working my way up to 10,000 steps a day and watching the weight fall off.

Memaw's memories said...

I'm trying to leave the happiest memories for my grandchidren of me. In the story about the virtuous woman, the comment about 'her children rise up and call her blessed'. I don't know if that will happen, but I want my grandchildren to remember when we did this or that or that I made them feel special in some way that will stay with them all their lives.

nanny said...

I just love this post....I am still laughing at your pajama story! My drawer is full too, and I wear the same t shirt and bottoms.....I think we like the men's bottoms cause THEY ARE COMFORTABLE and that's what it's all about/ah

I think this DST stuff started in the late 60's! Don't know why or who came up with it!!

The older I get the more I think about time spent and giving back...I am so thankful for my family, my health and freedom.
Have a good day, Marlene

diamondstatecurlygurl said...

I'm inspired, this was a wonderful post. One thing I'm going to do (starting in 3 days - Yea Spring Break!!) is spend more time in my yard.. I have my best conversations with the Lord there, and the peace it brings me is priceless. The time I've spent in bed these past couple of years have made me realize how precious that time was to me.. I'm so Blessed to be able to do it again!

Lindah said...

Wow, you were talkin' straight at me, weren't you! This is a bit of a hard time for me at the moment, a time when I'm having to remember every day that I forgave some folks that I no longer work with and that it's ok. I'm not sure what comes next and each day I need to hold out my open hand again to the Lord to receive what it is he has for me next. You see, I was so enjoying the ministry I was involved in that I wasn't expecting what happened so I'm kinda still reeling and "transitioning," as they say. But I want to be filling these empty places with God's beauty and joy again. I've had enough of reeling and feeling like I'm in a vacuum. I'm ready to get going again! Thank you, Marlene!

Debra @ Life is a Stitch said...

Thank you for the beautiful reminder that life is too short. I wake up each day, thankful for another day and the chance to smile and work and love and laugh.
And I could second many of the thoughts shared by others, too.
Daylight Savings Time and all!

Marge said...

http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/index.html

Marlene, the above is a fascinating site with 8 or 9 pages of DST facts, including the fact that during the war, Roosevelt instituted year round day light saving time.......which would be better than this switching back and forth!

And, I too am trying to say no to so many obligations and living a life that I can look back on and smile....more time with my kids and grands, being more helpful to those in need, and just living closer to the life that God demands of a Christian, but a life that is impossible to achieve.

And I'm with you on the pajamas! Right now I am in an old long sleeved college tee shirt with my blue and white stripped cotton bottoms. Comfort plus!

Blessings,
Marge

Unknown said...

i may not have done much right in my life but spending time with my children(they are grown now) and now my grandchildren is something they will always have to remember!
i love pjs.......

FabricFascination said...

Spending time with my grandchildren and loving them the best I can. Praying! Teaching children's fellowship at church.

Sunny said...

I am so glad to have found your blog. This is my first visit and I will certainly be back :) Right now I know the Lord is closing one door in my life and I am just being patient until my husband gets the "message". I also know that when one door closes He opens another one. I am looking forward to the things the Lord has for me, and the ways He has for me to be a blessing to others. Thanks so much for your post!!

Purple Pam said...

I try to get up each morning in time to see the 8:00 a.m. episode of Perry Mason, and I watch another show at 12:00 p.m. One of the reasons I retired is because of Perry Mason. I want to see all the episodes before they take it off the air. After all, my husband has been sitting home for 12 years watching all the Perry Mason shows. Why can't I?

If someone is stealing an hour a day from me, it better not be one of my Perry Mason hours. And if someone is giving me an extra hour, I want that hour to be another Perry Mason show!

If I have any memory at all at 90, I want to remember Perry Mason programs!

Mary L. Briggs said...

Love this post, Marlene! One thing I've started doing is not spending so much time surfing around on the computer. Somedays, all I do is check my email and maybe do a little writing. This gives me more time for my family and home. I go next door and visit with my mom, go up to the garden and visit with my dad, go riding around the backroads with hubby. Laugh with the daughters while they're still home~I'm grateful for all of it.

As for the daylight savings thingy--I'm still adjusting.

Grammy Staffy said...

Oh Marlene, You make me smile. I also wonder where the savings go from daylight savings time????

I am sending hugs. Love, Lura