Thoughts on the eve of 2012

May I wish anyone who stumbles upon “Paxtonvic” a very happy 2012.  I’m glad so many people seem to visit the blog over the year. There have been some 79,000  “hits”  since Paxtonvic was born on May 20o9 and apart from the odd quiet spell, I try to post something most weeks.

I have no idea who wrote the following reflection on the passing of time, but I like its sentiments. If anyone knows who wrote it please do let me know.

Though even thinking on the subject of time may prove disconcerting, it is not a bad idea- especially  at the beginning of a new year.

As we look into 2012 we look at a block of time.

We see 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days and 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes and finally 31,536,000 seconds. And all is a gift from God. We have done nothing to deserve it, earn it, or purchased it. Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life.

The gift of time is not our alone. It is given equally to each person. Rich and poor, educated and ignorant, strong and weak- every man, woman and child has the same 24 hours every day.

Another important thing about time is that you cannot stop it. There is no way to slow it down, tun it off or adjust it. Time marches on.

And you cannot bring back time. Once it has gone, it is gone. Yesterday is lost for ever. If yesterday is lost, tomorrow is uncertain. We may look ahead to a full year’s block of time, but we really have no gaurantee that we will experience any of it.

Obviously, time is one of our most precious possessions. We can waste it. We can worry over it. We can spend it on ourselves. Or, as good stewards, we can invest in  the Kingdom of God.

2012 is full of time. Asa the seconds tick away, will you be tossing time out of the window, or will you be making every second count?

Prayers

Bless us, O Lord, and bless the times and seasons yet to come.

Teach us to number our days aright

That we may gain wisdom of heart

And full this new year with your kindness

That we may be glad and rejoice

All the days of our life.

Amen.

Grant, O Lord, that as the years change,

we may find rest in your unchangeableness.

May we meet this new year bravely,

sure in the faith that while men come and go

and life chnages around us

you are ever the same

guiding us with your wisdom

and protecting us with your love.

Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Amen.