Another year is about to end and a new one will be upon us in a few more hours. We celebrate the event with a lot of noise and fanfare, marking yet another transition for us ~ new beginnings, new hopes, fresh starts and fresh dreams. Yet in the heavens, it is just another moment for the stars and the planets and the sun as they inexorably and silently move on along their preordained paths. Life goes on in the universe.
In the midst of all the noisy celebrations, in the quiet moments early on New Year’s Eve, I spent some silent moments to recall and be grateful for all that came into my life in 2012. It has been a year punctuated by celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, made memorable by visits to and from friends and family, invigorating hikes in the most beautiful nature spots, spending moments and making memories with people we love. But what I enjoyed most is our daily routine of school and work in Kathleen’s and Martin’s family. I love watching Jane and Jonathan “advancing in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.” I have noticed too the growing regularity of people I know, admire, love and have worked or lived with passing away. To be sure there have also been wonderful arrivals of new-born babies and the announcement of several more coming. I have seen new relationships built; some challenged; others flourishing and still others ended. But through it all, I have experienced that continuing Presence in my life that has made all of the wonderful things happen and given me strength to go through the hard and difficult times.
As another year ends, I become aware that I am nearing the end of my own days. I often ponder on what lies ahead. I have been blessed with a rich and meaningful life for me to want it not to end. I am humbled and always grateful for all the blessings that have some our way. And I am aware all of this must come to an end one day. My faith tells me I will level up when the time comes. My rational self is hard put imagining what the leveling up would be like. Sometimes, it seems to make more sense that all of this will just end when my time is up.
The God I have believed in has assured me that life is stronger than death, that light is stronger than darkness and that His grace will win over sin.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:1-18
my continuing thanks for these sharings of spirit moments
Reblogged this on Spirit Moments and commented:
Reposting my New Year’s reflection from five year ago. This blog is now into its sixth year.
Another Kairos/Chronos realization for me.
When we spend time, we are productive and make money. But it is sooner than later gone. This is Chronos time. It is about making a living.
When we make time, we store memories and create relationships. These stay with us forever. This is Kairos time. It is about making/having a life.