29/10/2014

Good morning. Do your priorities change as you get older –and as the sound of that clock ticking gets louder and louder?

I think people do re-assess - when the realisation dawns with a new clarity, that, despite what Louis Armstrong might say, we don’t “have all the time in the world” – and, therefore, we better make sure that we tick some important boxes - and seize those days we have, rather than hold out for some deferred gratification… that we may, or may not, be privileged to enjoy. 

And this is more than just making our way through some hastily drawn up bucket list! But rather, a re-alignment of our lives, in the light of the reflections brought about by attending yet another funeral - of an old friend we thought indestructible, or on hearing the news of a major life-changing event in the story of some not-so grizzled acquaintance - who thought, as we did, that life would just roll along nicely, until we were about a hundred, at which point we could at least entertain the possibility of that final full stop! Life’s too short, people say…

Life’s too short to:

• Continue in a state of warfare with someone in our family

• Harbour old grudges against someone who wronged us thirty years ago

• Hold off going to visit that relative in New Zealand

• Wait any longer before moving to that house by the sea

• Put off going to see the doctor about that funny lump

• Leave that novel unwritten…

There are loose ends to tie up, dreams to chase, bridges to build and cross.

Focus brings definition, and, as the insistent and relentless clock ticks away, we determine to leave the strands and the frayed bits floating around no longer. Time to get things done…sorted, healed, begun.

Lord, thank you for today. Help me to make it holy - by making it worthwhile.

Amen.