Fleeting Moments
Ray and I are still walking every day, but we have been varying the times. It has, of course, been nice to see God’s creation at different parts of the day. We have been planning to time a walk just at the right time to catch the sunset. Yesterday we made it, but barely. We are going to have to try again tomorrow.
However, the sun still lit the eastern hills. As we began a leisurely walk between the western sunset and those eastern hills, I told Ray, “I’m going to hurry to catch that sunlight before it’s gone. You can catch up,” and then I literally ran ahead.
As you see, the western hills were already casting their shadow on the lighted ones. I knew the moment was fleeting.
My running ahead was only 40-50 feet. I got my three pictures and our walk resumed. However, I was right to run ahead and capture the moment if I was going to have the opportunity.
Let’s go back to that “I knew the moment was fleeting.” As soon as I typed those words, I realized—all moments are fleeting.
Though I was surprised by that specific thought in that split second after I typed the words, I have long—perhaps always—been keenly aware that moments flee. Mother told me that when I was little girl I was afraid I would miss something.
I hope you never tire of my reminders to cherish your moments with your children. A friend once told our Bethany not to let her childhood go by without reading Little Women. What great advice that was, and Bethany didn’t let it go by without that treasure.
If I were advising a girl right now, I would say, “Don’t let your girlhood go by without a girlhood either!” And if I were advising her mother, I would say, “Don’t let her girlhood go by without cherishing the moments.”
The only time I could take a picture of that sunlit hill was during a few fleeting moments. When we returned from our short walk, all of the hills were in shadow to the very tip-tops.
One day Zacchaeus was sitting in a tree, trying to catch a glimpse of the Savior of the world. Suddenly the Savior looked up at him. Zacchaeus had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that day—to host the Son of God. I know he was always glad he took advantage of that particular “fleeting moment.”
When Jesus came to the place,
He looked up and said to him,
“Zaccheus, hurry and come down,
for today I must stay at your house.”
Luke 19:5