The Family Clock (10-30-2023)

I hold many titles within my family: Mom, Grandma Kate, Sis, “Queen of quite a lot” (when we’re being silly). One I’ve had since the kids were little is “the family clock.” I’m the one who decides when it is time: time to get up, time to get ready, time to clean our rooms, time to eat, time for a vacation, time to decorate for the season, time to put the decorations away, etc. I taught my children to tell time and to read clocks, but then the digital world arrived and that was deemed “old hat.” To this day, I am “the clock.” In fact, this morning, my husband has an early appointment, so it was my job to wake him because he hates alarms. Since I was up anyway, I gently delivered his wake-up call.

This morning, time is on my mind. Can you tell? Perhaps it was my “alarm” duty earlier. Perhaps it’s because of the fall colors, visible beyond my porch. Perhaps it’s the readings from the end of Ordinary Time which tend to increasingly focus on time and judgment. Perhaps it’s the violence across the world, the wars being fought. I’m very conscious of the passage of time, the use of time, even the question of how much time we have.

Time is invisible, so it is easy to lose track of it, to not notice its passing. It isn’t tangible, so we at times can forget that it is still one of the greatest gifts we get. On the cusp of yet another month ending and another beginning, as we stand only a short distance from the beginning of a new year, perhaps it is time to consider time. How are we using the present time?

I know that today, I am going to spend some time pondering just that. But I am also going to prayerfully ask for direction, for guidance from the Spirit as to where I should be spending my time and how. What is that I am being called to do now? What am I being asked to change? How am I being asked to change?

We all know as disciples of Christ that we are to spend our time, our lives, living out Christ, loving our LORD and loving one another as the LORD has loved us. But what does that look like in this world at this time? What is the LORD calling me to do now?

I pray that all of us can seize the moment and in all humility seek the LORD’s guidance and direction. We are called to “read the signs of our times.” Let us ask for the LORD’s vision. Let us take our time to dedicate our time to our service of the LORD and one another in love.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.