By Ava Pennington—

For most children in school, the Christmas break seems eons away from September. After Christmas vacation, the Easter break seems like it will never arrive. For me, the worst was always after Easter. Summer vacation was tantalizingly close, yet far enough away that the waiting almost hurt.

So when did things change? When did time begin moving faster than children at the sound of an ice cream truck’s bell? I don’t remember the precise moment, but gradually—almost imperceptibly—the pages of the calendar turned with an increasing frequency that bordered on illegal.

Until I began submitting work for publication. Then it felt like time stood still. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, as I waited for responses to my submissions.

Anticipation makes us eager for the next big thing, whatever it is. Children yearn for Christmas. Pre-adolescents can’t wait to be teens. Teens crave to be adults. Those in the workforce long for retirement.

The result of all this wishing and wanting is that we end up wishing our lives away. We’re so focused on tomorrow and what tomorrow will bring, that we fail to enjoy the blessings of today. Our happiness is based on happenings that have happened and happenings that haven’t happened yet!

This does not mean that we should not plan ahead. The Bible tells us, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5 NIV) and “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22 NIV).

God wants us to plan ahead, but also wants us to leave room in our plans for Him. Proverbs also says, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” and “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps” (16:3, 9).

I intend to continue setting goals and planning for tomorrow. I also intend to leave room for God to show up in my todays as well as in my tomorrows. As I do, I have a feeling the passage of time won’t seem quite as fast. My happiness quotient may not increase, but my joy, based on trusting Jesus Christ for the results, will skyrocket.

How quickly is time passing for you?

 

 

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© 2010 Martin Alan Grivjack PhotographyMartin Alan Grivjack PhotographyAva Pennington is thoroughly enjoying her second career as an author, teacher, and speaker. Originally from New York City, she relocated after a 20-year corporate career as a Human Resources executive. But don’t call her retired. In addition to writing and speaking, she teaches a Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class of 150+ women from September through May each year.

Her newest book, Daily Reflections on the Names of God: A Devotional, is published by Revell and endorsed by Kay Arthur, founder of Precepts Ministries International. Ava has also written articles for magazines such as Power for LivingCalled, and Christianity Today’s Today’s Christian Woman. She has been published in 25 anthologies, including 18 Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Ava is grateful for her husband, Russ, their marriage of 35+ years, and their home in south Florida. She is a passionate speaker and teacher, and delights in challenging audiences with relevant, enjoyable presentations. For more information, visit www.AvaWrites.com or contact her at Ava@AvaWrites.com.

 

4 Comments

  1. 8-29-2014

    Yes! Good reminder Ava. Savor the moments.

  2. 8-29-2014

    Thank you, Sharon. Those moments pass quickly, don’t they?

  3. 8-29-2014

    Good one Ava. I want to treat every day as a gift from God. Thank you for reminding me.

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