Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?Not until recently, in the terms of human history, did man begin to measure time.
Early dilemmas included: What time is the ram sacrifice? Let’s meet at, um, when should we meet to start the pyramid?
Hence the invention of water clocks and sun dials.
Somewhere along the 14th century, large mechanical clocks began to adorn the towers of several large Italian cities. Apparently, it was about time (pun intended) for everyone to keep track of where he or she was and where he or she should be next. Pretty soon the trend took off all over Europe.
Spain: I was gored by the bull at 2:00 pm.
France: Tailgate party! Time: 4:00 p.m. Place: N.W. side of the guillotine. BYOC (Bring your own croissants)
Jump ahead to the 21st Century. Not only are clocks affixed to every conceivable contraption (look at the lower right hand corner of your computer) but also books and theories on time management abound.
I will admit several clocks adorn my home. But only one is my favorite: The God Clock.
No, it wasn’t marketed as such a wondrous device. The distinction is only in my head.
Back in 1986 I was going through an especially tumultuous time. Newly divorced and caring for two young children I packed up my few remaining belongings and moved to another location. I settled in a land known as Arkansas. During my transition my Mother came to visit. Her mission was to help me settle into my new surroundings and furnish my meager new abode with some inexpensive trappings. While at a shop in Eureka Springs she noticed that a clock caught my eye. Before we left it was in my possession.
“God’s Timing Is Perfect” it stated boldly down its face in calligraphy. My Mother’s theory was that it would remind me that the changes ahead of me had a purpose.
Months after the clock came to reside in my home a group of friends came to visit. One in particular was taken aback that my clock, with its proclamation that “God’s Timing Is Perfect” had stopped. It was merely a task to insert a new AA battery to get God’s time back on track but I never forgot the reaction of my friend and the significance of his reaction. Seemingly, God’s time had stopped.
The God clock’s style no longer goes with the décor of current style and now rests on a shelf in the “Below The Basement Stairs Feng Shui Bathroom Smoking Lounge” (to be explained further at a later time) where all my favorite out-of-date possessions find home.
Recently, the God clock has taken on a mind of it’s own. It hasn’t stopped. It just never matches any other clock in the house by hours or minutes. It insists to be behind or ahead. Eight o’clock upstairs? It’s two-twenty on the God clock.
Whether morning or night, I walk into another time zone when strolling into the BTBFSBSL.
What is He trying to tell me? Upstairs it is 11:00 am and now it is 6:15 sometime. What is going to happen at 6:15? World disaster? Eternal peace? I win the lottery? Time to take the dog out to pee?
What is He trying to tell me?
Perhaps He is trying to remind me that the world is askew and I should be patient. Wait up. It will catch up with Him.
Terrorism, atrocities, disrespect, stupidity, lies.
Perhaps He is informing me that I am out of step with the times and I should catch up.
This is the way it is now, Sweetie.
Love it or leave it.
I think it is even more personal than that. I think he is telling me...
Time for a drink.
Afterall...
It must be 5 o’clock somewhere.
copyright Victoria Bush 2004, 2005
