The significance of moments in time

I am fascinated by moments in time.

For every person on earth there is an almost sacred moment in history that was hand-selected by God for us to born, like 5:56 a.m., 6:13 a.m. and 2:51 a.m.  for my children.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven… (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Most of our moments fly by without notice, but there are moments we never forget, good or bad. Each of our relationships, for example, began with meeting in a moment in time. Some resulted in good relationships, others bad ones, and most meetings do not result in any further relationship.

One moment I will never forget is rounding a bend in a mall on the evening of July 17, 1992 at the entrance to the mall eatery. I spotted a co-worker who was enjoying Chinese food. After quick greetings, I grabbed a slice of pizza and sat down to visit.

We never dated anyone else again.

This week my husband and I returned to the same mall and snapped a picture at 6:15 at the same spot where our first date began. We ate the same food and went back and forth sharing the happy parts of our lives spanning our over three decades together.

Just the happy parts.

Twins born. Son adopted. Bringing our black lab, Licorice, home. Family reunions. Backyard birthday parties. Alaska. Professor. Prison education. Ireland. Christmas trees. Our wedding. When our lost deaf dog found his way home. Receiving a new heart. College visits. Graduations.

It was a budget friendly date.

Our celebration was only for happy things but, like you, all relationships are a mix of good and bad moments. I remember a bad moment in my relationship with God. There was a specific moment in time when I made the decision to give up on God for a while. I was working at a package distribution facility with a metal slide at my feet. I made the decision to run my own life for a while, and pushed a package down the slide. I don’t know where that package was headed, but my life was headed down a slippery-sloped path that ended at my residence seven years later.

I found out I was pregnant with our twins.

That moment in time stopped me in my tracks. In an instant, I wanted to go back to living life with God because living without Him was even harder. Two moments. One terrible (package pushed). One good (positive pregnancy test). They worked together somehow in the hands of God to teach me lessons and guide me back to safety in my relationship with Him.

Pay attention to the moments.

They string together to form our lives. Moments start us on trajectories. They decide which relationships to pursue. Some moments sadden us, like when we open poor lab results. Others delight our souls, like when you hand a realtor the key to a house you have been trying to sell for years and the sale finally happens.

What moment will you decide was the best one of today?  You may be grateful for an event, like family picnic, but have fun determining your favorite moment of the event. When your grandson spontaneously kissed your cheek for the first time? When your son flashed you a smile from across the yard?

Have fun thanking God tonight for your favorite moment today.

Picture Explanation: Celebration of a significant moment in time.

Speaking of living a short life of struggle compared to eternity: Our summer online study has ended. Our Tuesdays were sweet. If you are interested in participating in a co-ed online One Gritty Blink Bible study this fall, click on the Oaks Ministries link below and send me an email so I can place you on a list to be contacted as online and face-to-face studies are planned. Let’s not just focus on things in this short life, but also what counts for eternity.

Note: No part of my posts are derived from A.I. Thoughts and writing stem from my mind and heart as I process life week-by-week and continue to grow in my understanding of God and how to apply His wisdom to the world around me.

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