For A Moment In Time

 There is a time for everything, 

  and a season for every activity under the heavens: Ecclesiastes 3:1 

  

  I was studying the wallpaper on my computer screen. It was of a 17th century era ship with tall masts and furled sails with the sun setting in the distance. I thought to myself how wonderful it would have been to be that photographer in that moment seeing that view with the sun and clouds and water and ship like it may never be seen again in that exact way. 

  Every moment we live on earth is a period in time never to be repeated in the same way. With all respect to the “Groundhog Day” movie, nothing is ever quite the same as it was just moments before. And no day repeats itself in exactly the same fashion. 

  We are all creatures enslaved to time and limited by time. The older you get, the better you appreciate time and living every moment to its fullest. Also, the older you get the more regrets you accumulate in time wasted, opportunities lost, and bad decisions made. How we wish we could redo moments that are lost to us, and how we regret our foolish actions and sinful behavior of the past. 

  While we can’t undo the past or relive certain moments in our lives, we can count each present moment as precious, and cease wasting time in the here and now. 

  Time is short for all of us. Every moment and each opportunity is precious. There will never come a time when we look back and regret good behavior, excellent choices, and time spent with loved ones. Knowing this, we cannot waste another moment leaving a trail of regret. 

  When we are ill and miserable, we want time to rush by, for the clock to speed up until we feel better. But if we are not careful, even during our times of illness and affliction, we can miss opportunities to be grateful for a beautiful day, for the help and grace God gives us, and the loved ones around us seeking to console and comfort us. Be grateful for every moment God gives to you, both the difficult and the beautiful. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, time flies by so quickly and beautiful moments slip through our fingers. Help to appreciate every day and every blessed moment You give to us. Amen.