Same TIME ~ It's a Matter of Perspective

The warmth of the woodstove and my parent’s love are a beautiful combination, especially on a January eve. Memories of sitting around the kitchen table always bring a smile to my face. Whether it be at my parent’s or Gram’s house, many problems were solved, events planned, and news shared. Last night was no different.

We brought chocolate crackle cookies to my parents last night in celebration of their 41st wedding anniversary.  Once everyone had confectionary sugar and chocolate on their face and clothing everyone “assumed their position”.  The men golfing, Mary on the computer or playing with the dog, and Mom and I left to enjoy some table talk.

As I updated Mom on my accomplishments of the day (Have I told you how much I LOVE a snow day!? An opportunity to wear my author/speaker hat for an entire day! Sweet!) I shared my blog series idea and excel planning sheet with her but before I could continue she was out of her seat in route to the other room.

“Mom, is everything okay?” 
“Yes, I found something the other day that might help you with this series.”
“What?”
"A poem I wrote in 1966. I wrote it in high school and reused it again for college, it talks about time.”

She returned with a tote full of interesting papers and from the depths of the bin she pulled out her poem, Time is… I asked her permission to use it, borrowed Dad’s camera and snapped a few photos. I have always known my mother to be creative and artsy yet her inner writer caught me off guard.

“I love it! Can I use it?”
She laughed and said, “I wouldn’t have shown you if I didn’t want you to use it.”
We both laughed then.
It has become a running joke, “Be careful or you’ll end up on Lisa’s blog.”

Mom’s original masterpiece is above. The one below includes reminders from God’s Word of the truth that flowed from my Mom’s heart as she concluded her last year of high school. A wise woman indeed.

Time Is…
Too slow for those who wait,
“This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” Habakkuk 2:3
Too swift for those who fear,
“But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold. 6 So the captain went down after him. “How can you sleep at a time like this?” he shouted. “Get up and pray to your god! Maybe he will pay attention to us and spare our lives.” Jonah 1:5b – 6
Too long for those who grieve,
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
      it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
   And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
      a punishment for his own sins!
 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
      crushed for our sins.
   He was beaten so we could be whole.
      He was whipped so we could be healed.
 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
      We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
   Yet the LORD laid on him
      the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6
Too short for those who rejoice,
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
      Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
 Exult in his holy name;
      rejoice, you who worship the LORD.
 Search for the LORD and for his strength;
      continually seek him.  1 Chronicles 16:9-11
BUT for those who love,
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9
Time is not.
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. John 6:47

Thank you Mom for letting me share your poem and for all the TIME both you and Dad always have for us! We love you both!