NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 10/16

How is it possible, Lord,

that the eighth month,

the first of the last quarter,

is now half gone?

 

I thought that when I grew older

time might pass at a slower pace

for want of the harried busyness 

that once filled my days and some nights, too,

haunting my sleep and my dreams...

 

But no!

 

Time marches on and moves apace 

with the planets, the sun, the moon,

the stars and the calendar's months 

tracing my path and keeping account

of my life, my years and my days... 

 

Now I have free time (and plenty, for sure)

but even my free time fills up, is consumed

by I'm-don't know-what

 - but then maybe I do...

My days are brimful with rest and time 

for musing, reflecting and mulling over

    all that has been, all that's been mine,

    all that I've done - or didn't get 'round  to

and all the love that swept me up,

    held me close, 

    took me in,

    guided my steps, 

    cared for my needs,

    befriended my soul, 

    overlooked my faults,

    forgave my misdeeds,

    healed my hurt

and on thousands of days, 

    in thousands of ways

revealed and shared, and generously so,

    your mercy,

    your presence,

    your peace... 

 

Oh, some of my musings are not as sweet:

    there've been times of hurt, loss and pain,

    times of longing, need and want,

    times all alone and lonely times, 

    times when hope was all but gone, 

    and times when I wondered where time had gone

    and how much time was left for me...

 

And now, Lord - something like October -

    I'm in my 80th year, at the beginning 

    of the last quarter of my life,

    a life much more than half now spent...

 

And I'm pleased, now that I'm older, Lord,

to find that life moves on apace

with all that's real and passing,

with all that's true and lasting,

with all that is within your hands:

    holy, broken, saved, redeemed,

    wounded, healed and lifted up

    by grace that knows no time...

 

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

    and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

 

Amen 

  

In His Time by Diane Ball

 

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