The Big Issues

Sonorous Ticking

The old Grandfather Clock measures out my days, its sonorous ticking dividing it into thousands of moments. For years it sat silenced, because its proximity to bedrooms was purgatory for insomniacs. 

A year or so ago, a visitor got the clock re-started, though I had reservations about that constant tick-tocking ruling my days. The noise, however, is sonorous and peaceful, sounding out a sort of heartbeat. 

The best thing, though, is that the actual bell which trills out the hours no longer works. He couldn’t figure out why, but actually, I think we have achieved the best of both worlds. We have a gentle marking of the passage of time without the piercing reminders every hour that our days are flying by inexorably.

There is much benefit in living each moment. I understand that is one of the principles of the practice of mindfulness, but it also echoes Biblical teaching about our lives in relationship to God. I’ve been thinking this morning about the benefits of noting the small things in life which often give us pleasure. The fragrance of a rose. The humming of a bee. The swoops and dives of swallows (or even the tiny bats which were out last night). The purr of a cat. The giggle of a child. 

Life is full of Big Issues, issues which can overwhelm our thoughts and peal out incessant, demanding gongs. But more important are the small things which build up our daily lives and mark the minutes as they go gently by. Our characters are built in the small things, revealed in the big. If we can cultivate peace and harmony moment by moment, then when the Big Issues arise we can navigate them secure in God’s love, faithfulness and hope.

‘Who dares despise the day of small things?’ God asks. (Zechariah 4:10). 

Today I am going to celebrate the small things, as I navigate the Big Issues in peace.