As Time Goes By

As Time Goes By

Eileen Renders

   Ah, reflection! We tend to reminisce about times gone by as we age. It brings back many fond memories and allows us to see how we have grown from our experiences. As teenagers, we are interested in our friends, graduations, travel, and the future. As we become young adults, we begin a new career, maybe marry, have children, or enjoy our first new home.

   As more time passes, we are raising children or perhaps taking our parents in to live with us. We may enjoy some travel and the many differences we enjoy in various countries. So often, we hear an elder say, “Where did all the years go?” Time passes so swiftly. Looking back, we might wonder if we spent our years, our time living in the present, or just always looking forward.

   How many of us look forward to the hereafter? Another good question to ask oneself is, do we prepare for our next permanent journey, or do we fear leaving the world that we have become so familiar and comfortable with?  For many years, as mature adults, many of us have lived with a constant reminder that all life on Earth is temporary. This thought is in no way depressing as it is simply a reminder.

   Still, how we view our final exit might very well be strongly connected to the life we have lived. If we are living with regrets, anxiety, anger, or any other negative emotion, we certainly may not only be sorrowful about the mistakes we might have made in our lives but also apprehensive of going into the next realm that encompasses what we have learned will be eternity.

   Without being too philosophical, these self-examining thoughts are meant only in a positive way because we are still alive! We have opportunities to apologize to those we may have hurt, we are still able to help someone in need. We can become the person we desire to be. If we become resentful because we lost a loved one or feel we are being punished due to a recent disability, we might remind ourselves that these are natural as we go through the process of aging.

   Accepting our limitations and making the best of life helps us to better enjoy what we still have and enables us to sleep better. Last but not least, if we believe in a creator, A God in heaven, we would be wise to talk to Him, if we haven’t yet already begun to do so. Pray for God to guide us, to lead us, to forgive us, and to thank Him for having created us. Pray for His mercy that when we leave here, He will meet us in the next life and lead us to His Kingdom where there is no more pain, no more sorrow, and only His warm light and love will surround us.