Time flies by doesn't it!

It has been ages since I have posted on my blog.
I haven't been sitting idly twiddling my thumbs, watching the paint dry, or wasting time.
Its just that time passes so quickly, and before you know it a couple of months have passed.

My apologies to those who have clicked on the link to check if anything new has appeared on Ferby's Frolics, and been constantly disappointed.

This is the growing season and there seems to be a hundred and one things to do in the garden.
We have been really delighted to redo some flower beds that have grown tired and past their best.
New edging has been put around some of the lawn and all in all it has been a satisfying spring.
Now summer has finally arrived, thoughts turn to spending time on the beach.
This was something we spent doing this last weekend.



This was the view that I took while laying down relaxed and de-stressed on Saturday.
But was it really a year ago already that we were doing this?
It is really sobering to see life flashing past so quickly.

My mother who was 84 last month and currently on holiday in Spain, often quotes the lines: -
"Life at best is very brief, like the falling of a leaf".

What have I done since last year that really matters? That's a question that can be easily asked but not so easily answered.

I could say that yes, I've led a weekly house group.
I took my first evening class ever on Birdwatching.
I took part in our large church production "Road to Bethlehem".
I have done a few preaching slots.
Taken the odd family service.

The list could go on and appear quite impressive when put alongside earning a living in a very demanding job, being a husband and and a father.

But what have I done in the last year that will be of eternal value?
That's not such an easy question to answer.
I endeavour to live my life with the lines of an old song as my inspiration.

"I want to serve the purpose of God in my generation.
I want to serve the purpose of God while I am alive
I want to give my life to something that will last forever
Oh I delight, I delight to do Your will."

I really wouldn't like to leave this world without making a difference of some sort.

The Bible speaks of redeeming the time. I guess this is the earliest reference to "Time Management".
I must admit to liking to packing in as much as I can into a day off, or a weekend. It is satisfying to look back and think, didn't we do a lot.

Yet looking at the story of Mary and Martha it wasn't the one who was rushing around doing loads that got the Lord's commendation. It was Mary who simply sat at Jesus feet that "had chosen the better part".
So I think there will always be this tension between redeeming the time, and resting at His feet.
Yet I think that the more time we spend at His feet the more effective will be our doing when we know what we should be doing, instead of doing what we think we should.