The lyrics from Jim Croce's song, Time in a Bottle, resonates with me as we watch the New Year ushered in.

This was a post I wrote several years ago, but, I think, helps us to cherish the present moments of our lives.

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 some ways, I just wanted to freeze time and stay just the 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 passes through phases of life. There are moments we wished the sidewalk would move slower so we could savor the moment and there are moments where we wish it would go faster to escape those unbearable moments.

Time has a way of healing our brokenness. It has a way of lessening the pain we feel toward our losses. As each new phase comes upon us we are drawn to those moments. 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 this moving sidewalk I will continue to be drawn to the present moments that give me the joy of living.

Happy new year everyone!