Time...

I once watched a National Geo special on a tribe somewhere that never considered "time" as a concept to life. They just went about their business and dealt with whatever came their way. At first this seemed a positive way of living---no rushing, no schedules to worry about, no pressure from anyone else to take care of their needs, etc. etc. Eat, sleep, work when you felt like it. Sounds like a great way to live doesn't it? Wrong.

Then the NG reporter began to show scenes of rotting food because it wasn't cleaned up (disease); small children who were yet to be fed even though it was well into the evening (neglect); none of the men had gone hunting and the land wasn't cleared for planting before the rains came so the entire tribe was going to go without real food for a l-o-n-g time (starvation?). So what would appear as a perfect world was really a nightmare of ignorance and death. All because this group of people ignored the concept of TIME.



Being in the "autumn" years of my life, I have come to selah (stop & calmly consider) certain things much more than I did as a child, or even as a young adult married with children. One of these is family... nothing can break or make your day like family! Another is personal passion... I have watched so many friends and family end up frustrated, sick and making incredible mistakes just because they stopped pursuing their God-given passions. But that's another blog entry....



Now that I am approaching my 58th....yikes!...birthday in just a few weeks I am once again made aware of that old saying "TIME MARCHES ON...my face!" lol Seriously, time has continued to march on whether I paid attention or not. And that's my whole point. Why don't we pay more attention to time?



Definition: "the measured period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues" AND " an appointed moment for something to happen, begin or end." What stands out to me are the words 'measured' and 'appointed'. And that says there is a limit, a boundary I must respect then in regards to the time I have been given. Kind of like the expiration date on my cottage cheese, if I want the most benefit of its contents I better take it in before that date!

Which brings me to my point: EVERY MINUTE COUNTS IN LIFE.

There are only so many seconds, minutes, days, weeks, months, and years allowed each of us. The Word of God tells us that God has each planned from the moment of our conception---but it is OUR choice and responsibility whether we follow His plan for the 'times of our lives'. I just wonder how many choices I made to do what I wanted instead of His desired good for me. Just a small example: I could call a grieving friend and give some encouragement that would get them through a rough day. Instead I am at a loss for words and put it off. My life gets busier that day and I forget entirely. Time passes, and before you know it months have gone by. She tells me she had assumed I was too busy to call during that time but she weathered it through without my help. She wasn't rude or angry about it, but she was hurt. Ouch.

Time...once it is passed, it becomes just that: the PAST. And there is no retrieving it again.

Babies grow up, opportunities are given to others, the strength and endurance of youth wains. And it goes by waaaaaaay too fast! Before you know it you are a member of AARP, your kids doubt your ability to reason or eat right, and funerals outnumber your activities by 2 to 1. I'm not quite there yet, but I can see it just around the corner. I don't want to waste anymore time.

I will kiss my grandbabies as often as I can...even the grown ones.

I will brag on and build up my kids (all 8!) as often as I can...even when they don't like me so much and break my heart. No time for pouting!

I will make the time spent with my husband as productive and enjoyable as possible. We mark 39 years of marriage this month. We have been to hell and back...now we will do all we can to see God's best for us in our days left together, whether its an hour or another 39 years.

I will share the love of Jesus Christ for a world who mostly ignores or hates Him....only because they do not know Him. And not only when its 'comfortable' or politically correct to do so. If someone is hurting, I will tell them of the Comforter. If someone is lost, I will share how He is the Good Shepherd. If someone is hating themselves, I will do whatever I can to get them to see how very important and cherished they are, and that He loves them NO MATTER WHAT.

TIME is our most valuable possession....and I'm not wasting any more of it.

Why "apples" ?

When I first began writing and teaching, it seemed like the theme of apples popped up everywhere. Not just in the traditional 'apple for the teacher' way...but in articles I would read, or sermons I would hear. Add to that my three favorite colors are red, yellow and green! But of the greatest interest to me was the fact that apples, just like people, contain unlimited potential. In each apple are several seeds, which in turn can become trees, which produce apples, which in turn contain several seeds, etc.! WOW! There you are....what I believe is God's most simple explanation for how powerful (or wasteful?) a life can be, if only that potential is appreciated.

Physically, what a wonder the apple is to our dietary health! How about how the apple can stir up our emotions---the smell of warm apple pie bringing welcome memories of Gramma's house or a favorite gift shoppe? And as I've said, considering your life illustrated as a freshly picked apple bursting with the seeds of potential is a-m-a-z-i-n-g, and serves to hopefully motivate one to bring that potential to fruition. At least it does me! So spiritually, that apple sitting on my desk can preach some fantastic sermons!

Yes, there can be a worm inside. But can I share with you an interesting fact about that 'negative' ? The little worm was not an invader that bore its way into the apple; it was already there on the bud of the apple and the fruit grew around it. The hole we observe is from the worm's exit! So what does that say to you and me? Maybe those 'worms' that have ruined our potential (or we think they did) were actually ALREADY RESIDENT inside of us, and as we made ourselves available to the Tender of our orchard, He picked us and began cleaning us up, the "holes" became obvious. Is the apple worth saving? Of course! Once in the Holy Spirit's kitchen, the damage is carefully removed and the fruit is used to make a delicious dessert!

So thats just the 'skin' of the apple....I could go on for days! And yes, I do think it was an apple that Adam and Eve ate in the Garden!

Apples.....People.........I love 'em!!!!!

The apple tree blooms.....in winter!

Well, here I am, an official blogger! This will be the 'space' for my thoughts, heart and voice to be shared with whoever chooses to read it....and I pray in some way it will also serve as a means to show some light, some hope to those needing it. God bless and I'll be posting soon!