By Pastor Jeff Jacobs
Unity Lutheran Parish –
St. Paul, Saetersdal and
St. Matthew’s, Granger
One could say this for a “COVID” summer last year – it sure lasted a looong time.
Chances are, like me, you felt this summer by contrast sped quickly. August has ended, September is upon us, school resumes and autumn is practically here – already?!? Of course, that is only our perception. Each day is always 24 hours – summer, winter, spring or fall – and it is just the busyness of vacations, fairs, camp, sports, family reunions, community festivals and more that make time appear to rush by.
Because we missed most of those events in the summer of 2020, the days often did seem to drag. Yet perhaps, that long, difficult summer of scant activity when we couldn’t do very many things together reminded us of the preciousness of time spent with family and friends.
If the uncertainties, disappointments and deprivations wrought by COVID and its aftermath have caused us to cherish more deeply our relationships and the opportunities, sometimes taken for granted, to nurture and celebrate them, we have gained something valuable. May that awareness last a looong time.
I conclude with portions of Psalm 90:
“The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;
even then their span is only toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away…
So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart…
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” (Ps 90:10,12,14)