Recently it was my second born granddaughter’s 20th birthday, it seems like only yesterday that she was a toddler coming for sleepovers with us, cuddling up to me in my armchair! Where does time go?
She still loves my home baked double choc brownies so I baked her a batch as her “birthday cake” with a happy birthday motif & candle on top. Which we enjoyed with a cuppa under a picnic shelter in the Park with a Bush turkey at our feet in the rain! A rainy but enjoyable birthday adventure! Lol!
Talking about treats, lets grab ourselves a cuppa, a delicious treat & get comfy for our time together my friend.
Have you noticed how quickly time goes? The more seasons I pass through the more time seems to be speeding up!
Knowing there are fewer years ahead then behind, I often ponder the fascinating phenomenon we know as Time.
Poignant Messages
Hubby & I are somewhat movie buffs, enjoying different genres. And we’ve found that in many movies there are often gems of wisdom hidden in the story line. An example of this can be seen in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Especially in the following scene of the first movie, where the fellowship of the Ring are taking a quiet moment’s rest as Gandalf tries to decide which direction to take, from the choice of three in the mine under the Mountain.
However, Frodo has noticed a creature following them from the depths below & tells Gandalf.
Gandalf already knows that the creature Gollum is following them & has been for days.
Frodo expresses to Gandalf that Bilbo (his cousin) should have dealt with this creature years before when he had first encountered it (in the Hobbit trilogy) having pity on this creature by ending it’s life!
However, Gandalf answers that it was actually compassion that spared this creature’s life & that those seeking a direction in life are often trying to work out what to do,
“…with the time that is given to them.”
As we stand on the cusp of a New Year at the crossroads of change many of us will be pondering what direction to take.
Maybe it’s a change in lifestyle that needs to be made, a conversation that needs to be had or a change in career or location.
Whatever it is we are sitting at the crossroads of indecision trying to work out what to do with the time that will be gifted to us in this coming Year…
Time is a Precious Gift
Time is definitely a precious gift…don’t you agree? But we don’t necessarily use it wisely…do we?
Sadly in our far too busy lives we are often too ‘busy’ to stop for that time of rest, reflection & rejuvenation needed for the journey ahead.
But just like Frodo & Gandalf who needed to stop, sit & reflect awhile before a decision on which direction to take was made, we also need to do the same.
Let’s make this personal…
When I’m pondering a new direction in life I sit & reflect with the Lord in prayer while journaling & looking to His Word.
And at times the answer is wait! Did you know that waiting in itself is a clear direction? How so?
Well many, many years ago our Principal at Bible College, Dr Ray Laird, advised us young ministry students that waiting is just as important in God’s weaving of the tapestry in our lives as the doing for Him. For God is doing His work in us in the waiting, preparing us for the the journey ahead.
I’ve found this to be true in my own life in the intervening years. That the precious time spent in waiting with the Lord is essential for He always reveals His Will to us when we seek Him.
As God himself has said in the following;
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jer 29:13 NIV
May we seek the Lord with all our heart as we say goodbye to 2023 & hello to 2024!
May you & your family know the rich blessings of God in this coming year. And may we use the time that is gifted to us wisely.
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
Or in Prayer
© 2023 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Photo by exnlui at pexels.
Discover more from Tea With Jennifer
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Tea With Jennifer 
Yes (!), time is precious and seems to only become more precious with the passing of time. Such wisdom was passed on to you by Dr. Laird, and I thank you for sharing it. Waiting is an important part of our journey with the Lord. I often remind myself that it is a verb, an action word, therefore, even in waiting I am doing. Happy New Year, Jennifer, and may we wait on our Lord each day we have been given!
Thank you Joanne, I echo your following words;
“may we wait on our Lord each day we have been given!” Amen! ☺️
Time sure is precious and it sure does go by quickly. I’ve embraced God’s wait in my life. It used to be hard and sometimes grevious. But now I’m okay with it. His time and ways are not my time and ways. So I’ve given him my trust, he already knew his answer before I had any situations.
Happy New Year and thank you so much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
Oh I agree Paula, you have spoken wisdom here;
“His time and ways are not my time and ways. So I’ve given him my trust, he already knew his answer before I had any situations.” Amen!
Happy new year to you too my friend ☺️
Waiting is definitely a necessity at times. BTW, The Lord of the Rings is one of my favorite trilogies, both the book and the movies.
I had never heard of the song Pam mentioned either, so I looked it up on YouTube. Here is the link if you are interested. It’s a Michael J. Smith song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw5osFG4WZk
Happy New Year Jennifer!
Thank you my friend that was very kind of you, I’ll go & have a listen. A blessed New Year to you too! 🤗
Time is indeed precious. This was the first Christmas since 2019 that all our kids were home. The week was glorious and loud and. full of love.
Awww, how wonderful Barb! It’s always exciting when all our loved ones are around us. 😊
Happy new year, dear Jennifer. Grateful to do the online life with you, for your wisdom, creativity, and thoughtful words. Blessings as we venture ahead into ’24 …
ox
Thank you Linda, it’s so lovely having you join me here in a cuppa when you can sweet friend. 😊
On another note for some reason I’m having trouble commenting on your new blog, even though I’ve subscribed from the begining it keeps asking me to update my profile, then won’t let me go any further…
Oh I’m so sorry! Try going into your profile and leaving the HANDLE space blank …
https://lindastoll.substack.com/p/how-do-i-leave-a-comment-and-other
Thanks for hanging with me, friend.
Okay thank you 😊
I’m tracking with you because each year the new year is personal. My birthday is tomorrow. I’ve waited all calendar year for another birthday celebration. Each birthday is my new year, and with each birthday comes much reflection. This year I’m pondering the idea that I could have already lived 2/3 of my allotted days. Or I may have lived a 100%. Only God knows for sure .
Regardless, I am more mindful of time and days and plans and how I’m spending the precious remaining.
Bless you. Happy New Year 🎈
Happy Birthday Lisa & a blessed New Year!
Yes, none of us know the days that are allotted to us but God. So may we spend the time that is given to us wisely & fruitfully for Him.
Blessings to you in the coming year my friend!
Hi Jennifer. This is a timely post as we say goodbye to 2023. A song that I love says “You are working in our waiting, sanctifying us. When beyond our understanding, you’re teaching us to trust.” 2023 has been a time of waiting for us, we have learned to trust our Heavenly Father! Happy New Year, my friend!
Thank you sweet friend. And a Happy New Year to you too Pam! I’m not familiar with that song but it sounds perfect for this post.
It was lovely to see Butch got home in time for Christmas! ☺️