Time May Change Me, but I Can’t Trace Time
“Time May Change Me, but I Can’t Trace Time.”
David Bowie
These are part of the lyrics of the song by David Bowie from several years ago — and yet these words were meaningful to me during this time of mom’s passing.
While we were traveling back from Lindsborg, Kansas yesterday, his song was on the radio and I wanted to remember part of the lyrics.
You see, time certainly does change us, particularly in our outward appearance as we age. Our hair changes either in the form of losing some of it, or turning grey, silver, or white.
Our bodies get older, as many of their parts deteriorate and no longer function like they used to. And yet we’re still the same people on the inside.
During these last several weeks and months of mom’s deterioration, she was still the same loving and thoughtful person that she always was.
Certainly her faculties, particularly her speech and memory was fading, as her outward appearance changed as she faced death.
All of us will face the same fate as we age.
This is our earthly appearance, and like the earth itself, old Cottonwood Trees and other items in nature, all eventually crumble and become part of the earth itself.
We ourselves are like that, “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19)
And yet, through it all we could trace time with all of the memories that we had of her in our interactions and times spent with her.
As we know, many people begin to lose their memory as they age, and yet remnants of the past are not forgotten.
Sometimes collective thoughts come racing to us, from the distant past.
People remember childhood times and interactions with family and friends.
2 Corinthians 4 says:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
Changes
“Oh yeah, Mm
Still don’t know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild, a million dead-end streets and
Every time I thought I’d got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I’ve never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I’m much too fast to take that test
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (Turn and face the strange)
Ch-ch-changes, don’t want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (Turn and face the strange)
Ch-ch-changes, just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can’t trace time
Oh yeah
I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream of warm impermanence and
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They’re quite aware of what they’re going through
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (Turn and face the strange)
Ch-ch-changes, don’t tell them to grow up and out of it
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (Turn and face the strange)
Ch-ch-changes, where’s your shame?
You’ve left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can’t trace time
Strange fascination, fascinating me
Ah, changes are taking the pace I’m going through
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strange)
Ch-ch-changes, oh, look out you rock ‘n rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strange)
Ch-ch-changes, pretty soon now you’re gonna get older
Time may change me
But I can’t trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can’t trace time”
Selah,
~ Stephen Hanson
Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to The LORD is a special way in 1975 and has prophesied regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?
Stephen is a full-time Artist of original architectural, landscape, portrait, still-life and spiritual oil paintings, available at StephenHansonArtist.com
YES & AMEN! My deepest Sympathy re: Your Mother. I recently experienced the transitioning of MY Father! May you find great comfort in knowing that she is in a Much Better Place! God Bless You & Keep You!
Thank you all for your thoughtful condolences and prayers. She lived a long and meaningful life of service. She was the type of person that showed love to everyone she met.
Condolences also for your loss, Stephen. May the Lord comfort you and your family.
My sincere condolences on your loss. My mother faced dementia and other devastating medical problems at the end, but a remembered song always brought a smile to her face. The medical problems took her before she lost everything to dementia. We were able to pray the Aaronic priestly blessing over her the last night she was aware of us. She squeezed my hand with her little hand and we were able to say goodbye properly, a very precious memory for me. Now, I play Wayfaring Stranger when I need to cry for her without going off the deep end. May God comfort you in your loss.
Sorry you lost your Mom. Lost my Dad a few years ago and life is not the same. Prayers headed your way for comfort.