It was mid-afternoon; we were scheduled to go out for dinner with our granddaughter. She came bounding in and wanted to know when we were going. I told her that it would be at 6:30 that evening, about three and one-half hours from then.  She replied, "How long is three and one-half hours? What's evening? I don't understand time. Please explain it to me." Explain time. Okay. Do you have a few months? My adult mind was having fun with her question which, of course, begged a very simple answer. The kind of theories about time that leave my mind spinning would await another time - if at all.

In three days, I will conclude my administrative/worship/preaching coverage for Nancy. Where did ninety days go? Yes, "time flies!" All of us have experienced those long planned for events which, when they finally arrive, seem to be over in the blink of an eye. Rationally we know that the hands on the clock move at the same pace no matter what we are doing, but experientially it does not feel that way. Waiting for a baby to decide to be born or a loved one to make it through difficult surgery, however, create a very different reaction to time's passage; then we shall feel the burdensome croak of time seemingly passing with the speed of cold molasses. Our experience of time is contingent upon the content of the moment.

Sometimes English does not have the word nuances that help us to express our experiences. Greek helps us out in this instance. It has two words for time: chronos (from which we get the word "chronology") and Kairos. "Chronos" is the passage of linear time, the kind we live by and which governs when we eat, awake, show up at work or at a meeting, begin worship, etc. "Kairos" is time known by the experiential content of the moment. It is time described by value-laden words: "We had a good time"..."We had an awful time"..."The movie left no time to be bored" etc. - time known by its passage on the clock and by its impact on the heart. Two very different kinds of time.

Consequently, having the honor of filling in for Nancy on the administrative-worship/preaching end of pastoral ministry has rekindled thoughts about the two kinds of time we experience. Ninety days! Where did they go? A "chronos" reflection. But then I think about that time and what it meant and the enjoyment I had in working with so many wonderful people, and suddenly I am reflecting on time in terms of what it meant and how it felt.

As "chronos" passes, I hope that for each of you its days will bring those "kairos" moments that will enrich your life. And speaking of a kairos moment, Nancy is about to resume her ministry with us. WELCOME BACK NANCY!

~Steve Garvey