OUT TO PASTOR: Where did the summer go?

This past week started out as the best week of the whole year. At least, I thought so at the time.

I finished my book manuscript and sent it to the publisher. I caught up with some other projects that were lagging. And I had time to balance my checkbook.

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage came into my office and said, “Why are you smiling so much? Did you win the lottery?”

“No, my dear, I’m just so excited that I’m all caught up with my projects. Now I’m ready for summer to begin.” Then I laughed with a joyful laugh.

“What you mean you’re ready for summer?”

“Like I said, I’m all caught up and now I have the whole summer to really enjoy myself and have a little bit of fun.”

Looking at me rather strangely, which is not unusual, she said, “You do know it’s October, don’t you?”

Although my smile was frozen, it began to deteriorate inside.

“What you mean it’s October?”

She laughed at me and said, “Don’t you have a calendar? Don’t you know what day it is?”

I could not say anything for a moment because I did not know what to say. Then I got out my cell phone and checked the calendar.

Sure enough, like every other time, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage was right – it was October. I was so busy trying to get caught up with my projects, especially my book manuscript, that I wasn’t paying attention to the ticking clock.

Looking at her in frustration, I said, “Where did the summer go?”

I guess that’s the trouble with life. You are so focused on one thing that everything else falls by the wayside.

I wish there was a way to freeze time for as long as you want to. If I have a project on a schedule, I could freeze time so that I can be caught up and then come back and unfreeze time.

Where are these genius scientists when you need them?

“So,” I said to The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, “it is October and I just got caught up with my time.”

Being caught up with time is not a possibility. When I get up on a Wednesday morning that means Tuesday is gone forever.

“If you need help getting caught up,” my wife said, giggling, “just let me know.” Then, she returned to her craft room.

I sat back in my chair and thought a little bit. How can I keep this from happening again? How can I keep time in hand?

Of course, I could ask help from The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, but you know what that would do.

What I really need is a nice hot cup of coffee and a fresh Apple Fritter. Of course, if I had the Apple Fritter, I would be in “timeout.” I just went and got a nice hot cup of coffee, returned to my office and sat down to think this through.

It was not that I missed that time; I was focused on some important things then. Sometimes, my priorities overtake what I should be doing.

What bothers me is, what did I miss by missing the summer?

Thinking back over that time, I realized I did not miss anything. In fact, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage is in charge of all our activities, and not one was missed. She has a wonderful way of keeping up a good schedule and balancing our time like nobody I know.

I lived through the summer and enjoyed each day of that summertime; it’s just that I was more focused on projects. I wanted to complete each project in good time.

One of the great aspects of getting old is not remembering. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I don’t forget hardly anything; it’s just that many things I don’t remember.

For example, on a Monday morning, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage will come to my office and say, “Do you remember you have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon?”

Then I remembered I had a doctor’s appointment.

In all truth, my not remembering is entirely the fault of The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. The simple fact is I don’t have to remember anything because she remembers everything, and I can depend upon her memory. I can use my memory for better things.

In the morning, I get up, go to my office and prepare for the day, and if there are any appointments for that day, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage will remind me. So, why do I need to waste my time remembering things like that?

In my thinking, a certain Bible verse came to mind. “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

I only have one shot at today, and I had better make the most of it. My best shot is to rejoice and be glad in it. This I plan to do.

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone is (352) 216-3025, e-mail is jamessnyder51@gmail.com, and website is www.jamessnyderministries.com.