Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~Hebrews 13:8
Our time change happens this past weekend. How many of you looked forward to that? No matter if it's fall back or spring forward, our biological clocks are thrown for a loop. Our body's Circadian rhythms do not readily adjust, or willingly, subject themselves to this unnatural manipulation of the clock.
The older I get, the more my body depends upon a schedule, something that no arbitrary alteration can change. Instead of my inner alarm urging me to rise around the old time of seven, it now transforms to the six o'clock window. I know that many of my readers are consistently early risers, but for me, this is way too early to embark upon the day. Can I get back to sleep? That's problematic. Tossing and turning in frustration is the scenario I experience in the time change aftermath.
Will I eventually adjust? I do believe I will. But the older I get, the longer it takes for this acceptance to sink in. One thing my body seems to need each and every day is a nap. I'm not proud of that, but it is what it is. Older, my friends, is not always better, is it? In reaction to the time change, those naps are happening earlier than they used to. This certainly interferes with the progress and productivity of my post-lunch afternoon. Translation: Limits I don't want to entertain when it comes to my writing/reading time, not to mention my daily exercise.
Am I complaining? It sure sounds like it here! But I want to assure you that I'm grateful for each and every day with which God blesses me. Instead of feeling frustrated about the time change, what I'm most grateful for is that our Lord never wavers in the love, grace and faithfulness He shows to all of us, no matter what inconveniences we might be going through.
The world is a mess, our country is in tumult, but if His people focus on His words and His promises, we have a secure and never-failing compass to guide us in the way He wants us to go. Even when we feel weak, tired and hapless, God gives us the strength and hope to carry on in His name.
We can trust that He will be the same, yesterday, today and forever.
I choose to take Him at His word.
I choose to live in His eternal promise.
His grace is all I need to live my life to the fullest.
Amen!
This time change thing is only done to annoy people. I think we should all use to sundials instead. They don't change backwards and forwards and are always accurate. Have you ever known sundials to be five minutes late or fast? Also, we could use florescent sundials at night for when there is no sun or we are indoors.
ReplyDeleteAnother idea - instead of changing the clocks we could change the days instead. At a given weekend suddenly Sunday becomes Monday. And again we reverse the process in Spring. No need to change all our clocks and upset our Circadian rhythm, or any other rhythm, (I prefer Country and Western actually). We just change the day and get on with it.
I wrote to the authorities with these suggestions and they ignored me. I am not appreciated in my own time.
God bless, Martha - whatever time it is.
You have done an excellent job here, Victor, of shining the light of humor onto this whole situation. You sure do make it easier to just accept it as it is and get a laugh out of it, too! And I don't think any of us is fully appreciated in his or her day, so take heart!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Growing up in PA I knew the time change was a regular feature. I never heard anyone complain about it. Here in Indiana I hear about it a lot. I would agree that getting older makes it harder to adjust but I also refuse to complain. I can't change a think so why complain? That being said, I think your last 4 statements are gold.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bill! Those statements truly are the only ones that matter in the long run.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Amen to everything you said!
ReplyDeleteBlessings-Lulu
Thanks, Lulu!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I'm thankful for our never-failing, never-changing God.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Diana! We can always put our hope and trust in the Lord, no matter what.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Aww, Martha. I know what you mean. My inner time clock gets messed up, too. But yes, His grace is all we need! Love and blessings of rest and strength to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words here, Trudy. Yes, those internal clocks can be troubling, especially as we get older and more set in our ways. But God can and will get us through all our ups and downs.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I like the fall back time change, I get an extra hour!
ReplyDeleteI used to like that, too, Christine, but not so much now. My inner clock wakes me up around the same time as it did before, so there's no enjoying that extra hour of sleep. Oh, well!
DeleteLove and blessings!
We went to permanent Daylight Savings Time cycles in 1973, with the first Arab Oil Embargo. Congress needed to be seen to be doing something, and it was claimed (based on theory and speculation) that this would saved huge amounts of energy. The embargo passed, even with a minor revival in 1979-80 with the Iranian hostage crisis, but the cure remained, even when the illness was long gone. And no one ever checked to see how much energy, if any, was actually saved.
ReplyDeleteThat's the crux of it, isn't it, Glynn? I don't think that any real energy was saved, either. But it is another way to "control" the people, and isn't that what big government is all about?
DeleteLove and blessings!
Goodness, I'm right there with you! Now that I'm retired, the change isn't quite as annoying -- but our dogs haven't grasped what's happened. As far as naps go? I've concluded, if anything important needs getting done, it better happen before lunch. I don't necessarily resist in good humor, but will focus on God's compass. Thank you for that thought!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that thought resonated with you, Myra - that's the one I hoped everyone would latch onto! And you're so right about the pets also being thrown for a loop. I remember hearing about farmers complaining that cows who are regularly milked at 5:00 a.m. don't care what time the clock says!
DeleteLove and blessings!
The time change always throws me off. Naps happen to me too and i always find that annoying. I've given up compaining about it and just accept it as part of my age. I am thankful for my life as it is and try my best to accept these little changes. It's what God wants, he does have a plan for us all.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Bill, it's all in God's plan, for sure. And naps, it seems, for both of us, is a part of that. I didn't know you all had time changes overseas. That's a new one on me!
DeleteLove and blessings!
It's been quite challenging, the changes to our biological clock. I had to get used to the time change, but it's getting a bit easier now. I've been doing better partly by getting some more exercise and sitting in the sun (with a winter coat on), just taking fifteen minutes with a book. I haven't started taking naps yet because I'm afraid I won't fall asleep before one o'clock.
ReplyDeleteI like this blogpost. You are so honest.
Thank you for your thoughtful words here, Arieth. I didn't start taking naps until my body "told" me to after lunch because I, too, was afraid I wouldn't be able to get to sleep at night. That doesn't seem to be a problem now, so I simply must need that extra sleep when I can get it.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha Jane: I am with you on this. It takes me a long while to get used to the daylight savings time. I require a nap at different times of the day. It all depends on when I get to sleep at night. I trust God to get me through those days when I HAVE to be up and out of the house in the mornings. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteI do dread those days when an appointment or other obligation interferes with my nap time, Cecelia, but like you, I trust God will get me through it all. He never fails!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I love the angle of the Fall and winter sun along with the falling leaves and cooler air. The 'fall back...to normal' time change is fantastic to me. It doesn't affect my sleep or circ-cycles one bit. I only with we could stay year-long with EST.
ReplyDeleteI wish the same, Danny, but then again, you already know that! Yes, the slant of the sun on the turning leaves does add a magical touch to the season.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I have never been affected by the change in times, clock forward or clock back makes no difference to me
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Jo-Anne! I wish it were that simple for me.
DeleteLove and blessings!
The time change is not a favorite with me, either, but as I age, it's less of an issue. It was a problem when my children were small. But as you indicated, we need to be thankful to just wake up every day!
ReplyDeleteAnd I am so thankful for each new day, Barbara, no matter what time it is or isn't.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Praise God he is reliable and faithful through it all--time changes, political mayhem, insurmountable problems, and more. I need frequent reminders to keep my focus on HIM! Thank you, Martha.
ReplyDeleteI need those same reminders, too, Nancy. Don't we all?
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, one of my favorite things about summer is the long daylight hours. I don't mind cooler temps, but it's hard for me to get used to the sun setting so early now that the time has changed. However, like you, I'm glad to have days to rise and go to bed and to breath in God's grace and be alive! May we stand on His promises. God bless, Karen Friday
ReplyDeleteYes, Karen, may we all stand on God's promises, every day we live and breathe, and be thankful.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Yes, I dislike the time changes and it does take forever to adjust. The cats really never adjust and let me know it. We are ALL creatures of habit. I put my trust and faith in God and work hard on not worrying because He has this. His timing, not mine. xo
ReplyDeleteI hear you about your cats, Terri. When I had both a dog and a cat, they let me know on no uncertain terms, that it was past time for going outdoors (yes, my cat loved to follow me when I walked the dog) or getting fed. Clocks, other than internal ones, are useless to our beloved pets.
DeleteAnd yes, God does have us securely in the palm of His hand. So reassuring!
Love and blessings!
Yes ma'am; there's great comfort in knowing that God never changes. I can't really say that I mind the time changes though because it does give me an earlier start to my day. I'm able to get the feeding done before 7am, which means I get my breakfast before 8am (usually). It's my favorite meal of the day, perhaps because I get it about five hours after my day starts. LOL God's blessings sweet lady, and still praying here for your and Danny's worship efforts.
ReplyDeleteI can certainly see why breakfast is your favorite meal, J. D. You've already put in a day's work before getting to have it! I do love my breakfast, too, even though I haven't earned it like you have. Thank you, my friend, for your prayers!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I'm with you, girl. I love an afternoon nap. Especially on cold, gray days. Like today.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree, Linda. Rainy days make me especially susceptible to the allure of a nap. I used to wonder why my mom needed a nap every day when she always got plenty of sleep at night. Now, I fully understand.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Don't deny yourself that nap! God is there when we awake and refreshed. Thank you for sharing the good with us. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome, Cloudia, and I won't deny myself that nap! If my body tells me I need it, I choose to listen.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Olá, Martha
ReplyDeleteQuando eu estava trabalhando fora, eu gostava do horário de verão só na hora de largar às 17 horas kkkkk porque o tempo ainda estava claro, agora estou aposentada e me acostumei acordar às 5 da manhã, todos os dias. Deus sempre cuida de nós, um forte abraço.
God most definitely takes care of us, each and every day, Lucinalva. When I was still working, I routinely got up around 5:00, too. So glad those days are behind me!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I feel incredibly fortunate that we don't have to deal with the hassle of time change in my corner of the world. Over here on our side of the pond, we get an average of 12 daylight hours all year round. The sun always comes out at about 7:00 AM and it gets dark only after 7:00 PM. I have lived with this comforting certainty all my life and can't imagine otherwise.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings, Martha
I'm so happy for you, Veronica! It's wonderful not to have to deal with a time change.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Amen and amen, I laughed at myself this week, I adjusted to the time change but then got the days all mixed up. Spent most of yesterday, Thursday, thinking it was Friday. Goofy!
ReplyDeleteI find that happening way too often to my liking, Jean. I do love a routine, but it can get downright ugly at times, can't it?
DeleteLove and blessings!
The time change bothered me more this time than ever before. We usually eat dinner between 5:30 and 6:00...couldn't understand why I was so hungry at 4:30...then I remembered. I suppose we will all adjust, we always do. :) You write a beautiful post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe same time to eat hit me, too, Henny, and I found myself having to grab a snack to tide me over. Yes, we will all get through this one way or another! Thanks for your kind words!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Hi Martha Jane, I have to say that I don't mind the time change. Here in Northern Ireland it is Winter, and it gets dark very early. We have a television in our bedroom, so we enjoy sitting up in bed and watching it, our cat joins us too. :-) I quite like the Winter, and we have oil central heating which makes it very cosy at night. God bless you Martha Jane with all the love He has for us in Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet it gets dark way early in Northern Ireland, Brenda! As long as one can be warm and cozy, the dark doesn't really matter. I do recall, many years ago, when I was on a study trip to the British Isles, that it stayed light for what seemed an interminable amount of time - one of the benefits or living much farther north than the lower 48!
DeleteLove and blessings!
The time change has messed with me as well. I do appreciate having more light in the morning, though. But I'm ready for bed by 8pm now and that's too early. :)
ReplyDeleteI hear you on that one, Lisa! It's been a week since the change, and I feel like I'm just now getting somewhat used to it.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Well written :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kinga!
DeleteLove and blessings!
When it all started, I got irritated by this time change issue. Gradually, I adapted myself, and don't mind it anymore.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Duta! I'm just now adjusting a week later - lol.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Please read my post
ReplyDeleteSure thing. Just wish I could subscribe to it.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Beautiful blog
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rajani!
DeleteLove and blessings!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteGetting older surely isn't for the faint of heart, is it? But, like you, I am just so thankful to still be here and as well as I am. God is so good.
ReplyDeleteGod is good, all the time, Cheryl, even, and especially, as we age.
DeleteLove and blessings!