Mennonite Weekly Review

Seems like just yesterday I placed my Dave Barry desk calendar on the space reserved for such important data. Now I’m about to recycle the plastic housing that held the sacred writ as I ponder what 2009 has in store.

One blessing of my workplace is to have the week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day. It wasn’t always this way, so I appreciate this respite, an opportunity to pause and reflect on what God hath wrought.

We really don’t know, do we, what lies ahead? At best, we see through a glass darkly, and it gets more complex with advancing age and bifocals.

One thing is certain: Each academic year at my workplace moves faster than the previous one. The pace isn’t going to slacken anytime soon, even as it takes more energy and effort to achieve all I believe I need to do.

But ultimately, I must acknowledge, it isn’t quantity but rather the quality of life that matters and counts for eternity.

In pausing to take stock of my life, I give thanks for people, events and those things deemed major accomplishments, without seeking praise or receiving more than fair recompense. Nonetheless, we all need a certain amount of affirmation to lift our spirits and gain incentive to help spur us on to higher ground.

I’ve had many conversations, some of the sidewalk variety, in recent months. The recurring theme: Those who appear most happy and content in the midst of the present economic upheaval are those who enjoy the work they do (and are grateful for employment), actively pursue avocational interests, exercise regularly, eat sensibly, get adequate sleep, worship regularly, support charities and give priority to maintaining good relationships with others and with the Creator.

Acquiring more material goods? You can’t take those with you.

Most computer programs have a “refresh“ icon. Click on it and in a few seconds whatever site I’m visiting or project I’m working on is reviewed, and supposedly any recently entered material is checked and “saved.” Undergoing a similar process in one’s life every so often is equally valuable.