September 5, 2010, Labor Day                          

Welcome to Joyful Reflection. I am your host, Father Scott Seethaler. I am a Capuchin Franciscan priest. As a Catholic preacher, I spend my time sharing the Good News with young and old alike assuring them that God loves them and He will never abandon them.

Tomorrow is Labor Day. It is the official end of summer. I hope you did take time to relax and enjoy your loved ones this summer. Even though we had our share of hot weather, I hope you didn’t complain too much, because it won’t be long before we will be complaining about the cold temperatures and the snow.

As we get older the time seems to pass more quickly. So I want to talk about time today. I don’t know who wrote the following, but I want to share it with you. “Here is something to think about. Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest:  Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400.00 in your private account for your use. However, this prize has rules, just as any game has certain rules. The first set of rules would be: Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you. You may not simply transfer money into some other account. You may only spend it. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400.00 for that day.                                                                          

The second set of rules: The bank can end the game without warning; at any
time it can say, “It is over, the game is over!” It can close the account and you will not receive a new one. What would you personally do? You would buy anything and everything you wanted, right? Not only for yourself, but for all people you love, right? Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it all on yourself, right? You would try to spend every cent, and use it all, right? Actually the game is reality. Each of us is in possession of such a magical bank. We just can’t seem to see it.

The magical bank is time. Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life, and when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to us. What we haven't lived up that day is forever lost. Yesterday is forever gone. Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time....WITHOUT WARNING. SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds? Aren't they worth so much more than the same amount in dollars? Think about that, and always think of this: Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think. So take care of yourself, be Happy, Love Deeply and enjoy life!

Here's wishing you a wonderfully beautiful day!!!”

The writer of that reflection really gave us a lot to think about. I also have something else I want to share with you about time. It was written by a young man named Jason Lehman. He wrote this poem at the age of 14. It is entitled: PRESENT TENSE
It was spring,
But it was summer I wanted,
The warm days,
And the great outdoors.
It was summer,
But it was fall I wanted,
The colorful leaves,
And the cool dry air.
It was fall,
But it was winter I wanted,
The beautiful snow,
And the joy of the holiday season.
It was winter,
But it was spring I wanted,
The warmth,
And the blossoming of nature.
I was a child,
But it was adulthood I wanted,
The freedom,
And the respect.
I was 20, but it was 30 I wanted,
To be mature,
And sophisticated.
I was middle-aged,
But it was 20 I wanted,
The youth,
And the free spirit.
I was retired,
But it was middle age I wanted,
The presence of mind,
Without limitations.
My life was over,
But I never got what I wanted.

So dear listeners, don’t wish your lives away. Time is one of the most precious gifts that God has given us. We all need to use it well. Our prayer partners this week are people who don’t know how to manage their time well.                                                                                                

To read a written transcript of today’s program visit my website at fatherscott.com. This is Father Scott Seethaler, join me next time for another Joyful Reflection. Until then have a Happy Labor day and remember: TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD.