A Place of Beginning Again

Bruce Kendall Barnard

 

“I wish that there were some wonderful place

Called the Land of Beginning Again

Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches

And all of our selfish grief

Could be dropped like a shabby old coat by the door

And never put on again.”

Louisa Fletcher

 

Something happens about this time every year. I'm not sure what it is exactly, or how it comes about, or even why. But it's this—we "spring forward!" We set our clocks ahead ONE HOUR, in effect losing an HOUR of sleep this Saturday night. What we gain (if I have this correct) is an extra hour of SUNSHINE in the evening (and postponing the early morning light by 60 minutes!). And this got me thinking— 

 

Is this all in anticipation of a new season?

 

I say "YES, of course!" The moving of the clock hands (or digital numbers) forward one hour in effect is a reminder that SPRING is almost here, and that signals the beginning of a new season of the year. For me it's a new season of hope; a new season of joy; a new season of love; a new season of life!

 

Don't let the moving forward of the clock this weekend be just another annual activity in your home—make it the START OF A NEW SEASON. Make this the start of a new season in your Spiritual Life! The poet was right: There is a Land of Beginning Again. It is right there, directly ahead of you. Don’t miss it.

 

Heavenly Father, I realize that Daylight Saving Time is not part of your Divine Plan for all humankind. It’s not even observed in all fifty States. But the exercise of setting our clocks ahead this weekend reminds us that “our times are in your hands.” And it reminds us that our spiritual life needs a periodic tuning up, and that your Holy Spirit is willing to make this happen. I want it to happen to me now. I invite you to do the surgery. In the Name of your Son, Jesus, I pray. Amen.