Episode 19: March 27 - Time Out

Two children

played next door,

and I heard them use

a wonderful word—

a magic word—

“Time out!  Time out!”

One ran

and the other chased.

The one who chased

drew closer—

The one who ran

grew breathless—

“Time out!  Time out!”

And the running stopped

so each could

catch his breath

before they ran

again.

It is a magic word

for the magic age

of childhood

A magic word

that does not work

for grown up

         real life

                  children.

“Time out!  Time out!”

We run,

but cannot run away,

chased by time

we cannot slow.

We must run ahead

or be run down,

and fear that death

(boredom, loneliness, or

loss of identity)

will catch us if we stop.

God gives us no time out

but strength to run

and not grow faint;

no escape from time

but life that triumphs

over time.

“Call not,

‘Time out!  Time out!’

but know that

all time is in my hands,

and so cease your running

and turn to receive

life,

         and health,

                  and peace.”