Setting Time On The Clock
How many of us have a tendency to forget God is always with us? I know I do.
When I am angry and feel the need to vent my anger to friends and family…I forget He is listening. When I am rushing around, trying to complete multiple errands in a short amount of time and impatiently tap my toes as people in front of me casually complete their transactions…I forget God is watching. There are even times when I forget God is the one speaking to me through the Gospel readings, when my mind is tumbling through scenarios of future appointments, tasks, and worries.
I know I am not alone. We fill our days with worries, distractions, work, family duties…and forget to set time aside for God. We forget He is always watching, listening, and waiting for our attention. We take for granted we will always have time for Him AFTER we meet a deadline, visit with friends, clean the house, pay the bills, or shop for groceries.
But will you or I really have the time?
Yesterday I was in a hurry to get to my next destination but standing in line at our post office I realized my timeframe was not going to work. I took a deep breath, let out a disgruntled sigh, and started to study the people in line with me. As the lone post office staff member methodically helped one person at a time I slowly moved forward. Near the front of the line, posted on a bulletin board, I saw a 2 verse poem called The Clock, by Robert H. Smith. It read:
The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power… To tell just when the hands will stop at late or early hour.
To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed, to lose one’s health is more. To lose one’s soul is such a loss, that no one can restore.
I reread it a few times…our post office enjoys the relaxed family-friendly atmosphere of small town America…and although I loved the imagery of using a clock to illustrate one’s lifeline, it was the final line that stayed with me for the rest of the day.
We do lead busy lives, where deadlines and responsibilities are second nature for most of us. Slowing down is necessary for our personal health but maybe more for our spiritual well being. When we allow ourselves time for reflection we become more cognizant of God walking with us. He is fully present, ready for a one-on-one conversation, and He wants us to be fully present. It is not enough to attend Mass; we need to live with God every day and recognize all of His gifts to us. And most importantly, we need to show all people, through our actions, that God is here!
Yes, our minds will wander, we will get frustrated, angry, and completely overwhelmed at times. Remembering God is nearby…watching over us, listening to us, and ready to help… will make our lives less frantic. Only then will our lives be filled not with chaos, but peace. A peace that will protect our souls, and allow us to be welcomed home to God when our personal clock is stilled.
“For surely I am always with you“
Matthew 28:13
copyright 2014 Carol Bannon
