Warm Memories and 5 Thoughts about Time

by Lois Flowers

Inside: My dad’s metaphor for time and what we can learn from it that might help us use our time wisely.

A metaphor for time that will help us use our days wisely.In his classic book On Writing Well, William Zinsser lamented that “Memories too often die with their owner, and time too often surprises us by running out.”

As I went through the papers my dad left behind when he died, I often wished I could ask him about them. Why, for example, did he save so many newspaper clippings about the space race with Russia? What made him so interested in the Russian Revolution, and racial issues, and seemingly endless other topics?

Why did he like maps so much? Was it hard to obtain patents (which he did three times)? Which did he enjoy more: writing Bible studies or penning children’s stories?

Who knows?

Maybe some of my siblings know the answers to some of these questions, but unless I ask them, I’ll never know. They’ve died with their owner, as Zinsser said.

I do have my own memories of my dad, though, and of my life with him. And—just as my GriefShare leader promised—as the grief has softened, those memories have become warmer.

What That Looks Like

My family and I are able to sit around the dinner table and reminisce about my parents. When Molly turns up her nose at the chicken tikka masala on her plate, I tell her how I used to sneak my mushrooms onto my dad’s dinner plate when I was a kid because I hated them so much.

We laugh about how he used to slice up blocks of ice cream with a knife instead of scooping it—we all got a rectangle on our plates. I’m sure my mom bought the blocks because they were cheaper than tubs, but his method of serving the ice cream was the perfect engineer way.

Whenever Randy comes home with a new joke that makes Molly roll her eyes all the way to the back of her head, we look at each other and smile. “My dad would have loved that one,” I often say.

Manna as a Metaphor

The second half of Zinsser’s thought—the part about time running out—came to mind when I found, on the very last page of a yellowed notebook full of my dad’s handwritten children’s stories, something called “Manna as a metaphor for time.” I have no idea if he ever shared these thoughts with anyone—a small group or a Sunday school class perhaps?

But they’re thought-provoking, and worth sharing here.

As you may recall from the Old Testament, God provided manna until the Israelites entered the Promised Land and were able to eat its produce. The white flakes, which Exodus 16:31 says “tasted like wafers made with honey,” appeared on the ground every morning, six days a week. The people were instructed to gather only what they needed for each day, except on the sixth day, when they also collected manna for the sabbath.

According to my dad, manna is a metaphor for time because of the following reasons:

Everyone got exactly as much as he needed. Even if somebody got greedy, it ended up the same. (Exodus 16:18)

You could do a lot of different things with manna—cook it in pots or make it into loaves, for example. (Numbers 11:8)

Some people were bored with the manna; they didn’t appreciate it. Instead, they looked back to a “better time” when they ate all the fish and melons they wanted in Egypt. (Numbers 11:4-6)

Manna had to be used as it came; it couldn’t be stored. (Exodus 16:20)

There was a time when the manna stopped, but there was something better to take its place. (Joshua 5:10-12)

How Manna Relates to Time

It’s a good metaphor, as my dad’s metaphors usually were. We each get as much time as we need—not more or less. We can do many things with the time we are given. Sometimes we look back fondly at the “good old days,” conveniently forgetting the struggles and challenges that came with those seasons.

We can’t store up time to use later (although it would be nice if we could). And finally, eventually our time will run out, but—if we are part of God’s family—something better awaits in eternity.

“Lord, reveal to me the end of my life and the number of my days. Let me know how short-lived I am. You, indeed, have made my days short in length, and my life span as nothing in Your sight.” Amen. (Psalm 39:3-4)

Lois

We each get as much time as we need—not more or less. Click To Tweet Our time will run out eventually, but if we are part of God’s family, something better awaits in eternity. Click To Tweet

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Sweet Tea & Friends, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

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26 comments

Lesley November 6, 2022 - 11:05 am

I loved reading about your memories of your dad and reading his thoughts on manna, That is a great metaphor – very thought-provoking! I’m in a period just now where I constantly feel like I don’t have enough time. I need to remember that God has given me enough time for what he wants me to do. I just have to figure out how to use it well!

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Lois Flowers November 6, 2022 - 6:56 pm

I understand how you feel, Lesley. I think we can all use more wisdom when it comes to how we use our time.

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Bethany A McIlrath November 5, 2022 - 2:08 pm

Love these sweet memories and your Dad’s metaphor, Lois. It’s been a weird month time-wise because of travel and then sickness, with me wishing there was a “refund” option for the time lost to viruses! So I’m extra appreciating the wisdom you’re sharing that time (like manna) cannot be stored up for later – but also, like said, “We each get as much time as we need.” I guess I didn’t need those feverish days for the things I thought I did. God knows! Thanks for sharing these memories and his metaphor! : )

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Lois Flowers November 6, 2022 - 8:12 am

Oh Bethany … I’m sorry you’ve been sick. I have felt the very same way about days lost to sickness at what seemed like the most inopportune time. Even today, Molly is quite sick and the timing isn’t great. But God knows … I’m thankful we can trust Him in this. Hugs, friend!

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Donna November 4, 2022 - 4:46 pm

What a lovely post Lois, and that you have these treasured memories of your Dad, and even the memorabilia you can’t quite figure out! It’s all part of who he was and still is in your heart. Love his metaphor on manna-very thought provoking, especially the point that some of the people became bored with the manna and didn’t appreciate it. How often I have not appreciated the time God has given me within my days!

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Lois Flowers November 6, 2022 - 8:09 am

Me too, Donna. I’m thankful for these reminders about the preciousness of every moment. Hugs, friend!

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Kym November 3, 2022 - 8:17 pm

That is a powerful metaphor, and one that I’ll be turning over in my mind for awhile. Lord, teach us to number our days.

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Lois Flowers November 4, 2022 - 7:42 pm

Amen, Kym. Good to hear from you this week!

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Paula Short November 2, 2022 - 5:25 pm

Wow, Lois. Your Dad’s metaphor is thought inducing. I was glued to your words. Even holding my breath at one point. This is so important.
Thank you so much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.

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Lois Flowers November 4, 2022 - 7:41 pm

I felt the same way when I read my dad’s notes the first time, Paula. Hugs, friend.

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Lisa notes November 1, 2022 - 4:21 pm

So glad you shared more of your dad’s thoughts here, Lois. My dad wrote a book (of sorts) on the book of Romans that I have begun, but never finished. It’s quite deep coming from his engineering mind. 😉 But I wonder if part of me wants to keep it unread so I still have a piece of him still out there to discover in the future….

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Lois Flowers November 4, 2022 - 7:38 pm

Lisa, I totally understand about keeping your dad’s writing on Romans unread. I’ve organized all my dad’s notebooks but I still plan to go through each one more carefully. Like you, I want to save them because I think it would be sad to get to the end.

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Tea With Jennifer November 1, 2022 - 4:02 pm

What a beautiful legacy Lois! And such a poignant message!
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer 💖

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Lois Flowers November 4, 2022 - 7:35 pm

Thanks, Jennifer … I hope you you have a great weekend! ❤️

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Bev Rihtarchik November 1, 2022 - 12:43 pm

Lois,
I LOVED this post and the warmth that flows from it as you share your dad’s treasured wisdom. So true — as the grief softens, the memories get warmer. I now find myself spouting some of the witty things my dad used to say and it brings a smile to my face or I quote one of his eye-roll jokes and it makes me truly laugh. The manna/time metaphor is so spot on! Wouldn’t it be a neat project to combine some of your writing with your dad’s? Obviously, you got his “writing as a gift” gene! I have some sermon notes of my dad’s in engineer block printing and they are a keepsake. Truly enjoyed this post and I gave my dad a wink in heaven 😉
Blessings,
Bev xx

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Lois Flowers November 4, 2022 - 7:34 pm

Aw, Bev … thank you for your sweet words. Yes, it definitely would be a neat project to combine my writing with some of my dad’s. It’s such a blessing that our memories of our dads can bring us joy now, isn’t it? Hugs, friend.

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Trudy November 1, 2022 - 11:34 am

I love this, Lois! I can picture Molly pulling up her nose or rolling her eyes. So does she get to pass on to Randy or you what she doesn’t like? 🙂 I remember giving my dad the fat of pork chops. I think my mom spoiled me a bit… I remember I could eat a sandwich if I didn’t like something. I loved to fish and didn’t mind cleaning the bullheads, but I couldn’t eat them! And once my brother caught a snapping turtle and my mom prepared it. They said it tasted like chicken, but I did not want to try it. Sorry, but you kind of took me down memory lane for a bit there. 🙂 It’s so true that memories grow warmer as grief softens. Your dad’s writings are such a treasure trove! Thank you for sharing his insightful notes on manna. He certainly was a wise man. Love, hugs, and blessings to you!

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Lois Flowers November 4, 2022 - 7:31 pm

Haha, Trudy … I loved your little trip down memory lane. 🙂 I don’t blame you one bit for not wanting to try the snapping turtle! One of my brothers caught a squirrel once and my mom cooked that for him. Like you, I passed on THAT! As for Molly, she usually eats what she takes … if it’s something spicy I usually give her a different option because she really doesn’t like hot food. Loe and hugs to you!

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Linda Stoll November 1, 2022 - 9:40 am

Lois, this is all so tender and poignant right now especially with the holidays coming up.

‘as the grief has softened, those memories have become warmer.’
xo

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Lois Flowers November 4, 2022 - 7:24 pm

Oh Linda … I understand. Sending you a big hug today, dear friend.

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Joanne Viola November 1, 2022 - 9:12 am

Lois, this post is just precious! Your dad was a wise man and I’m grateful you share is wisdom and godly thoughts. He is so right – manna is a perfect metaphor for time and gives us much guidance on how to make the most of the time we have been given.

**My dad also gave us rectangle ice cream 🙂 It fit perfectly into our warmed up waffles! xo

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Lois Flowers November 4, 2022 - 7:23 pm

Aw, Joanne … I love that your dad gave you rectangle ice cream too. ❤️

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Barbara Harper November 1, 2022 - 8:35 am

Neither of my parents wrote very much (my mom preferred to call), but I treasure the few letters from them I have. How neat to come across such notes from your dad. I hadn’t thought of manna as a metaphor for time, but it does fit. When I am trying to choose from among the myriad possibilities of what to do with my day, I wish God would give me a little more specific direction. 🙂 But I trust He guides my choices as I pray for His wisdom and will.

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Lois Flowers November 4, 2022 - 7:10 pm

My dad left behind quite a few Bible study notes, Barbara, some for entire series. Most I’ll just treasure personally, but there are a few other lessons I hope to turn into blog posts like this one. I know what you mean about God giving more specific direction for how we use our time!

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Maryleigh November 1, 2022 - 7:33 am

What a treasure you have vintaged from your dad! And what a legacy he gave you – and the insight into manna, too! I love his message – and, oh, how I love you collected it! That is treasure!

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Lois Flowers November 4, 2022 - 7:08 pm

I think it’s a treasure too, Maryleigh. Thank you for your kind words, friend.

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