When it would get so hot that it was unsafe to be outside in the afternoons, all of us kids were forced to stay indoors with the blinds and curtains drawn to block out the sun. I don't remember anybody having to work real hard at calming us down because it just got too hot to move much. Besides, there was a conspiracy. If we were quiet in the afternoon, even going so far as to take naps, then we were allowed to go out when the sun went down and the day cooled off.
It seemed like the whole neighborhood gathered in our yard because we lived on the corner. We had three things going for us: a big yard, the streetlight was in our yard, and with seven kids in the family, we had a good portion of the quorum. We would play games like kick the can and tag. When it got real dark, we would play hide and seek. Playing in the dark added an extra thrill to the game because you didn't want anyone to find you but it was scary to wander too far away from the edges of the streetlight. Sometimes the night ended with sitting on the porch and the older kids would tell stories designed to keep the younger kids awake all night or give us nightmares.
There weren't a lot of those turned around days. That kind of playing late after dark was only allowed during those times of record setting heat and when the grown-ups or at least the oldest teenagers were around to supervise (when they weren't telling the scariest stories)!
Except for those kinds of days, there was a time when day and night activities were very different and when night came, most work stopped. There was a give and take to the pace of life; times of rush and times of quiet, light and dark, noise and quiet. We have lost that.
Today lights, computers and other electronics follow us where ever we go. Even farmers have joined the 24/7 workweek. As more farmers work off the farm to support their income, the more likely you are to see farm machinery running from evening into the dark. This is especially true in areas of the Great Plains where farms are smaller or nearer to town.
No matter how high tech the world gets though, we cannot escape the fact that there is only so much time to do what needs to be done. Our time is finite; we have a limited time in which to live, work, and be with the people we love. There is not a device invented that can or will change that fact. It is an important fact to remember as we make daily choices on how to spend our time.
Jesus reminded the disciples that their time together was limited. He knew that he was on his way to Jerusalem and to the cross. He kept reminding them but they didn't or couldn't understand. The same thing is true for us. We have limited time to spend with Jesus; in worship, getting to know him in prayer, through the Word, and through the people who need help. We need to spend time with Jesus while we can, doing the things he has asked us to do and reaching out in love.
So often I hear people say that they don't have time and that besides, they can be spiritual on their own where ever they chose. Why do we need the Church (Church with a big 'C')? What I know is this: the more you know and spend time with Jesus and the Church is the gathered body of Christ, the more peace, sureness, and comfort you have. Faith grows stronger together than it does alone. Read John 9:4-5
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