I volunteer at a
high school every week and as I leave, I walk by a church. I’m used to seeing
churches with their signs on the front lawns either posting their worship
service times or usually, some cheesy quote for the city to see.
But this church’s quote has made
me stop and think more than once.
“The way we spend our
days, is of course, the way we spend our lives.” –Annie Dillard
My first,
superficial reaction is to nod and think: Of course that’s the way it works.
Our lives are simply days strung together. But then as that truth sinks in
a bit further, I feel a bit of panic. My thoughts retrace my steps for the day
and I try to think about what I did yesterday and find myself asking: Do I
like how I spend my days? Am I okay with my life being spent like this?
If this quote is true, then wouldn’t every one of my days be lived more
intentionally? But it’s so much easier to allow the routine and the norm just
flow from day to day, until suddenly, I realize that I’ve spent a year or two… just
days strung together.
I think back on
and cringe because of the countless minutes spent on Facebook the last month. I remember
the hours spent watching TV and I feel the tiniest bit of desperation beginning
to creep up my spine. I cannot spend my life like this.
So I reach out
for Lucas’ hand and I give it a squeeze. I call my parents and tell them I love
them. I invest my time to serve others. I log off of Facebook and go for a run;
turn off the cell phone and enjoy my friends who are with me.
