I’m not sure which came first: me knowing the scripture from having grown up in church, or the song by The Byrds. It was a number one song in 1965 and was taken almost verbatim from the first eight verses of Ecclesiastes chapter 3. It is a reminder of the importance of time.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

I have an old wall clock that belonged to my mom and dad. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work, and I’m not sure who could work on those nowadays. It’s one of those that chimes every fifteen minutes and on the hour. It reminds me of the big clock hanging outside one of the banks in Union Point from a time long since passed.

It’s often been said that we can’t get time back, and that is so true, so it’s best to make wise use of the time we have. The good Lord willing, tomorrow we will step into not just another day, but another year. It’s usually a time when many reflect on what has passed and what the future holds. In the Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon is looking back on his life and recalling the joys, victories, and defeats he has experienced. It’s a lesson on the importance of each season of life.

I like verse 11, where Solomon said God makes all things beautiful in their time and sets eternity in the human heart. I remember stories from sitting around the dinner table with my parents and siblings. I can’t get that time back, but the beauty of the memory lives on, and the thought of reuniting with those family members in God’s presence in eternity brings me joy.

Marlene and I pray that you will have a happy and blessed New Year!