dedicated to Dave C.
Dave was one of my daughter’s best friends in high school. One of the kindest, most gentle young men then; and now, with a wife and three children, a career of service, a talented musician, a loyal friend. He passed away on December 26, 2012. Dave was just 40 years old.
Ecclesiastes chapter 3, verses 1 & 2:
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die.
verse 12: I know that there is nothing better for them (lit. “the one who acts”) than to be happy and enjoy themselves
Sometimes life seems so unkind. Good people suffer. Some die far too young. Adversity and conflict seem unending. We work hard, live in a good way, laugh with faithful friends and put things into perspective. Despite the hardships, life also presents us with abundant blessings – health, family, comforting shelter, more wealth than generations before us, inventions that make our lives easier, time for pleasure.
And I believe there is an urgency in the living of our lives. Many writers of song and story tell us to not wait, to say what we mean and do what we want to do while we can. In other words, to be happy and enjoy ourselves. Dave surely did so much of what he wanted to do. As do other folks that I know:
· my friend and her husband, in their late 60’s and early 70’s walked 130 miles in two weeks last fall along the Camino de Compostela, the ancient pilgrimage route in northern Spain
· a spicy, spry and very wise woman published her first book of poetry at age 91 and is doing readings to encourage others to get it done while you can
· a friend who has been single for at least a decade says, “I think I’m ready for a new relationship!” She is certain a new relationship will come along soon to test whether she really means it.
· in June, my nephew, Steve, and his wife, Hilary, moved from the eastern US to a new home in Canada, and new careers for both of them. In a whirlwind couple of months, they welcomed their second baby in May, Hilary completed her Ph.D., about the same time, they packed up toddler son and new-born son and headed north for the next adventures
Over the past three years since retirement, I’ve been paying attention, listening more patiently to the voice within, giving it time to mature. I know it is true that there is a time for everything. Looking back at the way events occur, opportunities that fall into place with ease, and a rightness that leaves me with a sense of peace within, I see reassuring evidence when I need it. My friend Martha tells me that we have been created by our Creator to create. When one phase is nearing completion another begins to emerge. From that perspective, the stirrings that we feel are inevitable. It is that Spirit Voice that knows when it is time. Whether or not we may be ready. Whether or not it makes sense. Whether or not a dozen other excuses and delays . . . .
Pay attention. There is a time . . . .
pb © 13 january 2013
Dave was one of my daughter’s best friends in high school. One of the kindest, most gentle young men then; and now, with a wife and three children, a career of service, a talented musician, a loyal friend. He passed away on December 26, 2012. Dave was just 40 years old.
Ecclesiastes chapter 3, verses 1 & 2:
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die.
verse 12: I know that there is nothing better for them (lit. “the one who acts”) than to be happy and enjoy themselves
Sometimes life seems so unkind. Good people suffer. Some die far too young. Adversity and conflict seem unending. We work hard, live in a good way, laugh with faithful friends and put things into perspective. Despite the hardships, life also presents us with abundant blessings – health, family, comforting shelter, more wealth than generations before us, inventions that make our lives easier, time for pleasure.
And I believe there is an urgency in the living of our lives. Many writers of song and story tell us to not wait, to say what we mean and do what we want to do while we can. In other words, to be happy and enjoy ourselves. Dave surely did so much of what he wanted to do. As do other folks that I know:
· my friend and her husband, in their late 60’s and early 70’s walked 130 miles in two weeks last fall along the Camino de Compostela, the ancient pilgrimage route in northern Spain
· a spicy, spry and very wise woman published her first book of poetry at age 91 and is doing readings to encourage others to get it done while you can
· a friend who has been single for at least a decade says, “I think I’m ready for a new relationship!” She is certain a new relationship will come along soon to test whether she really means it.
· in June, my nephew, Steve, and his wife, Hilary, moved from the eastern US to a new home in Canada, and new careers for both of them. In a whirlwind couple of months, they welcomed their second baby in May, Hilary completed her Ph.D., about the same time, they packed up toddler son and new-born son and headed north for the next adventures
Over the past three years since retirement, I’ve been paying attention, listening more patiently to the voice within, giving it time to mature. I know it is true that there is a time for everything. Looking back at the way events occur, opportunities that fall into place with ease, and a rightness that leaves me with a sense of peace within, I see reassuring evidence when I need it. My friend Martha tells me that we have been created by our Creator to create. When one phase is nearing completion another begins to emerge. From that perspective, the stirrings that we feel are inevitable. It is that Spirit Voice that knows when it is time. Whether or not we may be ready. Whether or not it makes sense. Whether or not a dozen other excuses and delays . . . .
Pay attention. There is a time . . . .
pb © 13 january 2013
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