Jim Croce was one of my favorite artists when I was in high school. The song that I especially liked was 'If I could save time in a bottle'. At the time I heard that song I was facing many life decisions as a young person. What do I do after high school? Where should I go to college? What kind of career will I have? Who should I marry? These decisions were hard to think about and in someways I just wanted to freeze time and stay just he way I was at the time. Alas, that isn't the way it works.
It is as though from the time we are born we are placed on a moving sidewalk where he pass through phases of life. There are moments we wished the sidewalk would move slower so we could savor the moment and there were moments where we wish it would go faster to escape those unbearable moments. At times there were even moments we wished to go in reverse so we could re-capture the moments. As we are riding this moving sidewalk occasionally we glance up to notice other's crying as loved ones they thought would be with them on this journey would hop off waving a final goodbye. Tears are staining the faces of the ones still on the sidewalk while smiles erupt on the faces of those who's journey has ended.
Time has a way of healing our brokenness. It has a way of lessening the pain we feel toward our losses. As each new scenic wonder comes upon us we are drawn to those moments. Instead of looking back at the empty spot our love one stepped off we are drawn to the present moments that captivate us.The birth of a child. The marriage of a daughter. Rediscovering the love of your life. Going on a short term missions trip. All of these bring renewed excitement into our lives.
Living in the present helps us to discover the joys of living. Thanking God for the memories of our loved ones who have left us and then focusing on those who are with us gives us a reason to keep on living. Tonight, I decided to stay home and have a movie night with my son. We ordered Jet's pizza and watched the Planet of the Apes. I also called my wife who stayed several days later with her family than I could to wish her a happy new year. It is our loved ones who are here that give us a reason to enjoy life and to live.
No longer in high school I have come to appreciate the lyrics to Jim Croce's song. As I continue on the moving sidewalk I will continue to be drawn to the present moments that give me the joy of living.
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