Timely Bubbles

While photographing children, I’ve learned that they’re bubble enthusiasts. I’ve watched over and over as little hands reach out to grab the shiny, transparent bubbles – only to have them disappear. I’ve learned that those bubbles are a lot like time. You just can’t hold on to it.

There are those quality experiences that I long to freeze in time or hold – times when all of our family have gathered around the table, and the funny stories last longer than the dessert; times when Shields and Patton are content to listen to stories from my childhood; times when a good book, a cup of coffee, a sleeping phone, and my husband are my only companions; times when the ground is soft, the shovel sharp, and I don’t have a to-do list; times when my pen is inspired and the words flow instead of drag.

There are words I wish to suspend in time – James Wesley’s “lah-lah” word for water; the verses of “Be Thou My Vision;” Major singing his blessing song before we eat; the “I love you” whispered at bedtime.

The same time that I long to freeze and hold can also slow down to exaggerate and prolong the unpleasantries and trials of life. Time always goes on vacation in hospital waiting rooms and at cash register lines. Try waiting for a lab report to experience time stumble along. Time has all but gone to sleep when I’ve watched for the overdue headlights of the family car turn into the drive.

It’s so frustrating. Sometimes I want to seal time up in a jar, but there’s no way to catch it. When I want to rush it through difficult times, it becomes stagnant and elusive at the same time.

Just imagine being able to control time. The joys would be endless and the sorrows just skipped. Now that would be the solution to time’s elusive bubbles. And yet, when I read about eternity, that’s exactly the Father’s perfect solution – heaven.

“My times are in your hands.” Psalm 31:15

Father, Show me how to use my time wisely, and help me see it as the treasure it is. I want to be a good steward of all You give me. Amen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

• Camille Anding is a child of God since age 12.
• Wife of 53 years to Othel; mother to Tahya and Eli;l grandmother to seven grandchildren and two great-grands.
• Retired from photography business with Othel. Now carry cameras on their travel adventures.
• Freelance writer, regular contributor to Hometown magazines, and dedicated to living “my utmost for His highest.”