And so you wait to see what she’ll do
Is it sun or rain for you
But it breaks your heart in two
Cos you’ll find it’s October
And she’s gone
And she’s gone
Summer’s gone
Taking with her summer’s rays
(Summer Soft by Stevie Wonder)
Ahhhh the lyrics of one of my favourite songs. Marking the fact that while you wait, time doesn’t and before you know it an August Dryden Update is now an October Dryden Update.
Time does not fly when you are having fun. It only appears that way. Time just keeps on ticking and ticking. On and on. What we do in that time, though, can be the difference between fond memories of making the most of our lives or wistful memories of how time has just gone taking with it whatever could have been.
Here we are. Well, at least here I am. For the time being. Seeing in the first day of the new month and the last quarter of the year.
Oh a word on that. I appreciate some folks have different calendars where their year starts at a different time but I wonder why they don’t make a bigger deal of the year they’re in. As well as the year they were born. Doesn’t that change their dating system and length of life. They aren’t going by the 365 days, 12 months year marking, so doesn’t that just change time as a whole?
Nah, I don’t expect you to answer that question here. It was just a thought.
Anyway, the update. Entering into the final quarter of the year 2017, I am very grateful for the grace of God that has definitely kept me going in the past few months. There has been plenty to be positive about. I have done some circuit training which has been kinda beneficial even in informing just how unfit I am and how much I hate burpees. I really hate burpees. And sit-ups. And press-ups. And bicep curls. And star jumps on mats. And …
I appreciate the rhythm of the circuit training though. It is necessary. Also it’s something that I do in a class with a gruelling trainer and a few other folks who are heaps fitter than me. A good friend of mine does it with me too and that makes it even more worthwhile.
There were a few goals I set for myself at the start of the year, so going into the final quarter of the year gives a great opportunity to check on their progress and the likelihood of reaching those goals in this quarter. Some of those goals are progressing very well indeed. One know particular has really gone better than I expected. Others, however, have needed to be readjusted. That’s all good, though, I am not hung up on achieving everything I want my way, because I am of the impression that life is better following the Master and if my plans conflict with His, I might as well submit once more and do it his way.
Family life carries on, my three daughters swell my heart with joy. They ain’t perfect by any means, but there’s so much love to give them because they are remarkable girls. Their individuality is coming more to the fore and treating them appropriately becomes all the more important. I was reminded again lately that the best way to love my daughters is to love my wife. Of late the tune that Minnie Riperton delightfully sang comes effortlessly – loving her is easy cos she’s beautiful. Appreciating that beauty does take work on my part, but it is always more than worthwhile because of her massive heart. I was also reminded recently that when everything else might be going awry, if the family life is on a good foundation, all will be well. I am hugely grateful to God for that.
Not that everything else is going awry. Just a few issues here and there. On the whole, though, being Christopher Dryden is a good thing to be at the moment. My heart’s desire is to make the most of that while the time is available.
(Photo: Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 