“Lost time is never found again.”
~ Benjamin Franklin
Wow! Can you believe that February (2020) marks a full year that I have been in Spencerport serving as your minister? The last twelve months surely have gone by fast. It seems like it was just yesterday that Michelle and I were unpacking boxes, hanging our clothes up in the closet (in the parsonage), rearranging furniture, and hanging up pictures on the wall of our new home at 55 Church Street.
Michelle has already completed her first semester of college at Genesee Community College; and, I have finished all of my doctoral work at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. As I reflect on how fast time has gone, it has caused me to think about how important it is for us to use our time, wisely.
Furthermore, seeing that it seems as if time waits for no one, let us make good use of our time. Let us use our time to create precious memories with our children and grandchildren; let us use our time to forgive those persons whom have offended us; let us use our time to serve the less fortunate; let us use our time doing what we love the most; and, most importantly, let us use our time to serve God—because before you know it, another twelve months will have flown by.
The ancient writer of the epistle that bares James’ name said, What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
I made up in my mind over ten years ago (after the unexpected death of my 26-year-old best friend, Tony Ruffin), that I would only spend my time doing what I love—traveling, spending time with my family, reading, writing, and serving God’s people in parish ministry.
What is it that you love most? Is it reading? Is it traveling? Is it spending time with your family? Is it volunteering? Is it baking (cooking)? Whatever it is, make sure you spend as much of your time as you can doing it—because in the words of Benjamin Franklin Lost time can never be found again (paraphrased).
In Christ Our Lord,
Pastor Michael L. Sloan