The Blessing of Time

I once heard someone say that time is a monster that cannot be reasoned with. Two and a half weeks from now I will be standing on top of the halfway mark in my education here at South Dakota State University. Wasn't it just yesterday when I was moving all of my belongings into a dorm room? And tomorrow I will start packing them up again and start taking odds and ends home with me. I think many college students are asking "Where did this year go?" Do you ever ask yourself that question? Where has the past year of my life gone?
Several people fear the passage of time. I, and maybe some of you, however, realize how precious and beautiful time can be. I look back on this year not resenting how quickly it came and went. Why? Because I know that I spent it doing exactly what Christ wanted me to do. My Lord placed me on this campus, in the city, in the state, in this time, for a reason. Every day he introduced me to people who would change me in big and small ways. Every minute he exposed me to new ideas and experiences to nurture my faith. Every second he blessed me with opportunities to witness and glorify his name. There were many challenges, and roadblocks to overcome this past year. There were inevitable potholes in the road Christ laid before me. There were times when I wanted to stop in place and turn around. However, time and time again, while he stood by my side, we filled in the potholes, pushed away the roadblocks, and overcame the challenges. All of these things would not have been possible if seconds would not have turned to minutes, from minutes to hours, hours to days, days to weeks, and so on and so forth. Faith does not grow before your eyes in seconds. Faith is a journey - a destination.
Some say time is a monster that cannot be reasoned with. However, I say time is something beautiful that deserves embracing. I embrace the gifts it has given me. The seconds I have spent embracing loved ones. The minutes I have spent in front of the piano. The hours I have spent in prayer with friends. The days I have spent surrounded by my family. Above all, however, the life I have been given to praise my Lord.
Time. A monster or a blessing? What have you accomplished with Christ this year? We stand here asking "Where has this past year gone?" When really we should be asking "Where have we gone in this past year?"

Where I'm From

I am from the piano bench of my grandmother
from diet coke and laffy taffy.
I am from the brown house with maroon doors on east 9th street
clean, tidy, and warm with love.
I am from the willow tree at grandma and grandpas
the forest of trees that tell
childhood games of hide and go seek.

I am from mashed potatoes with gravy and soft hearted eyes
from Delton and Jeannine, Ed and Rosie.
I’m from poker players and quilters,
from “try your best son”
and “I’m proud of you”.

I’m from Grace Lutheran Church
from Norwegian Lutheran heritage
and middle row sitters.

I’m from Sisseton, SD in Roberts County,
strawberries and pie.
From the hardworking grandfather,
the best friend grandmother,
and the supporting parents.

My pictures can be found in the same place as yours,
in an album.
However, my memories are found in an album only I can open-
my heart.