Taking Time For…

by Stuart Malkin 18 January 2022

Reading: Acts1:6-8
When the apostles met together with Jesus, “Lord, will you at this time give the kingdom back to Israel?”  Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my Father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be.  But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all Judah and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”  

I don’t know how you use your time, other than doing what many call the normal things of life. Recently my grandson has returned to university.  When at home, the running of the home was mostly mum’s domain. Today is a different situation that he has had to adjust to the fact that studies are important but so is maintaining the flat. The other day we received a  WhatsApp   showing his cooking skills, at the end he commented “see there is nothing to it.”  Grandma had previously sent him two beautiful books on cooking, so we await further developments.  

Ann,  as I have mentioned on a number of occasions has great craft skill and over the last months created a number of pieces of textile art, the latest being a pulpit fall.  She has also created a wall hanging for her craft room and then a table run for a friend.   In addition she keeps the house and me in order.   I realise that many of you are saying well I/we do this that or another,  in fact don’t have enough hours in the day to complete all that is needed.

I think it was way back I wrote an item headed “ Time the Avenger” and some times it can seem much like that. Since writing that, the days, weeks and months have had strange effects on us physically and perhaps mentally, as face to face communication has diminished for all health’s sake. In fact a funny thing happened to me a week or so back,  I was coming out of the MRI scanner still in protective wear when someone was going in theirs, he recognised me and my brain was not immediately switched on to say “hello….” But did momentarily.

Time was important to the disciples as we see in the reading but Jesus had to tell them,  perhaps with some sharpness, that it was in the Father’s way and time that all things would happen.  Amazingly he went on with a big BUT the Son of God gave them an action.   This action has been passed down to all believers, that the Holy Spirit would come to be a witnesses of Jesus.   On the thought that Peter Blount left us with on New Years Eve, an ending of, or a beginning.   Ann I were touched by the choice of music,   (Just as I am without one plea).   Like many,  we visited the monthly Derby Youth for Christ services.  We didn’t know each other then, but in the mid 1960s we came to know the Lord and this music was always played inviting those that had been led to Christ.

Christ took time for us so many years ago,  we pray that many are touched at this very moment.

Prayer.

May the Love of God continue to bless you and if you are searching  for that special meaning to your life, may you now that Jesus the Son of God is with you now and always. Amen