One of the great joys of being parked where we are in Chattanooga is the spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Every morning, over the misty field to the east, I watch the sunrise above the trees. I’m not sure how many pictures I’ve taken – each one seems more spectacular than the last. Every evening I watch the sun set on the field full of deer behind the RV. What a gift – a joy – a blessing – all these beautiful sunrises and sunsets have been.
The old song from Fiddler on the Roof, “Sunrise, Sunset,” has always been one of my favorites. “Sunrise, sunset, swiftly flow the days. Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers, blossoming even as we gaze. Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years. One season following another laden with happiness and tears.” I think of this song with every sunrise I greet as I rise, with every sunset I admire in the quietness of evening.
How quickly the seasons go by. How fast the years fly. Three months seems like plenty of time to explore an area, but Tom and I will be leaving Chattanooga in two weeks and feel like we still have plenty of things we want to do and see. So many restaurants – so little time! And have you noticed how time speeds up as we get older? “Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.” (Groucho Marx).
Fortunately, the One who invented time is also the one who controls eternity – time beyond time. We may never have enough time to do all the things we want, spend time with all the people we want, see all the places we want. Our sunrises and sunsets swiftly fly and are gone. I treasure each one, try to do my best to follow God, and don’t take any day for granted. But their beauty is ephemeral, as are my days.
In each of these transitory days, I worship a Creator who is the God of eternity. The One who sees the shortness of our days yet loves us. The one who welcomes us home to heaven where our lives are never-ending and where we always have enough time.
So, while I am here I will treasure all the sunsets and sunrises. I will love as fully and completely as I can. I won’t take people or things for granted. I will do my best in whatever I do and thank others who do the same. I won’t waste my time in complaining unless I can do something to change. I will remember that my time is as fleeting as those sunrises and sunsets and I will allow God to prepare my soul for my final home.
