The Time of my Life

Yesterday morning I reflected on ‘Life’s a day’ – the daybreak of birth, early morning of childhood, day-time of adulthood, evening of old age, night-time of death…

I quoted the old hymn ‘Lord of all Hopefulness’. I could have referred to ‘Abide with me, fast falls the eventide. The darkness deepens Lord with me abide… Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day…’

If life’s a day… then it’s about the clock, constantly checking what time it is.

I’m in the evening of my life; most of my day is gone… I pray for a long, cool enjoyable evening.

At church yesterday Jonathan said, ‘Life’s a week’. We’re born on a Monday; life finishes on a Sunday. Jonathan’s in his early fifties; he said he’s on Friday. He joked about Andrea, who’s up to Thursday.

If life’s a week… then it’s about diaries… planned work and leisure activities, who we’re meeting, what should be happening each day… and unexpected events that aren’t in the diary!

I’m up to Sunday… (my day of rest!) Jonathan referred to the bonus of an extra bank holiday Monday… The extra work-free day. I hope that I get there!

Some say, ‘Life’s a year’. There’s the springtime of youth – all is fresh, new, growing… the summertime of adulthood – beauty, activity, long, productive days… the autumn of maturity – fruit and completeness, but shorter days and diminishing time… the winter of aging – colder winds, staying indoors, the year ends…

If life’s a year… then it’s about calendars… noting and enjoy seasonal changes – early flowers in the spring, mother duck with her ducklings, autumn leaves… celebrating birthdays, planning holidays, remembering anniversaries…

I’m well into October… Autumn’s always been my favourite season. It’s a time of shorter days and limited time, but reflection on the year that’s passed.

Whether life’s a day, a week or a year I reflect with David, ‘But I trust you O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands.’