Sunday 8 April 2018

Time: Make it Count!





How is it possible that it has been 6 ½ weeks since I last posted? Seriously. Where does the time go? In one moment I think, “I can’t wait for Spring!” Then all of a sudden, I realize that it is April. How did that happen?!

Isn't it ironic, that as children, we cannot wait to grow up; but then when we reach a certain age, we wish we were younger? Or maybe it is just one period of time in our lives that we wish we could go back to; a very joyful time filled with happy memories; special moments spent with someone who may no longer be with us.

Unfortunately, time doesn’t work that way. Although it may make a great story-line, unlike science fiction novels, movies or television shows, we cannot actually go through a portal to travel back in time, or forward into the future. Time travel is only for characters like Dr. Who, Doc and Marty McFly.

One of my favourite authors is Mitch Albom. I find his books to be very inspirational, as his stories address heart-felt morals, values and beliefs that I also hold dear. Each main story typically contains other story lines, which are interlinked together. They are written in such a deep and meaningful way. He is probably best known for his best-selling memoir, Tuesdays with Morrie (one of my favourites); but another one of my favourites is, The Time Keeper.

Without giving away too much of the story-line, The Time Keeper is a fictional story about an inventor of the world’s first clock, who is banished to a cave for trying the measure time. He learns and teaches others about the meaning of time, based on his experiences and encounters within the book. A few powerful and thought-provoking lines in this book by Albom include:

“We all yearn for what we have lost. But sometimes, we forget what we have.” 

“When you are measuring life, you are not living it.” 

“…man alone suffers a paralyzing fear that no other creature endures. A fear of time running out.” 

(Check out Mitch Albom's website for more information on his books, events, etc.)

Each day is precious, and a gift from God. Use it wisely. Not everyone gets another tomorrow: so seize the opportunities He gives us today. Don’t waste time worrying about tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year; because very soon, tomorrow will be today in the past tense. Tomorrow will become yesterday. We can’t get it back. It becomes our history and then, nothing more than a memory; so make it count!

"Show me, Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure
Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally be.
But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you." 
                                              Psalm 39:4-7 (NIV)

Let’s face it…Life is harder some days more than other days. It may seem sometimes, as though time is standing still, and not moving at all. We may feel “stuck” in a hard circumstance that never seems to change with the passing of time. It is, therefore, so important to encourage one another each day (Hebrews 3:13), and to know that our hope for today and tomorrow, is in the Lord. Before we know it, that difficult life event will be nothing more than a memory. I am reminded in the Book of James, how the brevity of life on this earth is explained:

“…you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” 
                                                James 4:14 (NIV)

The passing of time was also addressed in the Psalms by David, when he wrote:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? …Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
                                                         Matthew 6: 25-27, 34

American Goldfinch

American Robin

Live your life to the fullest and without regret! Dance in the rain. Use the good china. Tell those you care about, that you love them. Forgive. Don’t hold grudges. Use the gifts, talents, and intellect that God gave you. Spread His love and good news in a world that desperately needs it.

Don't just exist. Live your life, before you run out of time. 
Let’s not count time…Let’s make our time count.

God Bless!

Joyful Hope
(Matthew 5:16)


© 2018 JOYFUL HOPE
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Thursday 22 February 2018

Hello Again!


Summer came and went, as did autumn; and now we are in the middle of winter. How did this time seem to pass so quickly?

I have had a few questions as to why I have not posted on my blog for so long. Have I been busy, some wondered? Yes. Have I been unwell? Flu season certainly hit my family hard for two months. Am I still joyful? Absolutely! Inner joy is not based on circumstances.

The thing about writing (for me, at least), is that I like to feel compelled to write something meaningful; something thought provoking; inspiring. And when it's Spirit led (which it often is)…even better!

I’ve also been writing a book/memoir of sorts, about a traumatic event that happened to me nine years ago, at the hands of a trusted professional in a position of power, and how those that were in the position to help, did not. My prayer is that God will use my experience, or “story” as we may call it, to bring hope to others; for it is only by the grace of God, and His merciful love, that I am alive and able to share it; shining His light where there may be darkness.

Like many people, my seasons have been full of ups and downs; each of which has had an impact on my writing, as well. I’ve had many blog postings drafted, but later decided against posting them, feeling as though the timing was not right.

I lost a very close and dear friend to cancer this summer. A friend who was more of a sister than a friend, as we had been close since birth, and spent many summers and holidays together under the same roof. We laughed together and cried together; and shared secrets like only sisters do. If I feel such loss, I can only imagine the depth of loss her biological siblings feel. May we all find hope, peace and comfort in knowing that she is now with God, and suffers no more.
  
On the positive side, my husband and I took a trip to Canada’s majestic Rocky Mountains this summer. This was a celebration of our landmark wedding anniversary, a celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, and a celebration of improved health following surgery (due to the traumatic event previously mentioned), that I had never expected to be so blessed with. It was an amazing week of sharing our love of nature, each other, and experiencing God’s love and replenishing. The unimaginable splendor and majesty, power and glory of God, just made me want to praise Him more. 

While in Alberta, we had the absolute joy and pleasure to visit with many family members at a get-together hosted by my cousin. We shared a delicious meal and had great conversations. I got to visit cousins I hadn’t seen for over 40 years, and many second and third cousins that I had never met! It is so great how God orchestrated all of this!

God said it was time for the matriarch of this family to leave this world in November. She was the last of my father’s siblings, and much loved by all. She left her legacy with her children; who like her, show love and acceptance to all, and live life to the fullest. I am blessed by God, to have been given her as my aunt: A beautiful woman, with a beautiful heart.

On Canada’s east coast, we had the joy of experiencing some of the beautiful coastline of Nova Scotia’s south shore, while in Halifax celebrating the Tall Ships Regatta in the summer. There are few words that adequately describe our visit to Peggy’s Cove. Let’s just say, God was very much there. He was there along the large rocks which held the famous lighthouse. He was there in the depths of the ocean water. He was there in the crashing waves, in the wind, and in the smell of salt water and seaweed. He was so present with us.  

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
   let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
   and extol him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God,
   the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
   and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it,
   and his hands formed the dry land.
Psalm 95:1-5 (NIV)
I have included a few photos I took of this great country of mine. Experiencing so much of it, from east to west, and from the ocean to the mountain tops, caused me to love and praise the Creator like never before. May you look at them in awe, marvelling at God’s majesty. May you get a sense of His awesome presence wherever you are. May you know that the Creator of the heavens and earth sees you, hears you, and loves you deeply.

View of Banff, Alberta, from high above on Sulphur Mountain


Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Waterfowl Lakes, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Bow Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefield, Alberta, Canada
Lighthouse at a distance at Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Lighthouse at Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Coastline at Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

God Bless!

Joyful Hope

(Matthew 5:16)



© 2018 JOYFUL HOPE
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED