The article in the Boston Globe warned, “Don’t set your watch by Big Ben.”
Never crossed my mind. London’s famous clock, Big Ben, has recently been slow “by as much as six seconds.” I assure you I’ve never lost a beat of sleep over any clock in the house or on my wrist off by a few seconds. But that’s my problem, as Jud would tell you.
One of Parliament’s three clocksmiths, Ian, said that Big Ben had become “a little temperamental with age.” Hmmm, I’ve known a few Bens. Been one more than once. He went on to say, “Imagine running your car for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the last 156 years.” Say no more.
So how do you give time a rest?
Time out?
Time off for good behavior?
A penny for your thoughts.
Actually, a penny’s how the locksmiths solved the problem. “Parliamentary official said Tuesday that mechanics had corrected the clock to within ‘normal parameters’—within 2 seconds of the right time. They will continue to adjust it by placing pennies on the pendulum–or removing them—to fine-tune its speed.”
Remember the days of penny loafers? I must admit it kept me up to speed with other kids my age, at least in the shoe department. As a wearer of mostly hand-me-down clothes or ones Mama sewed, shoes connected me to the “in” styles of high schoolers.
Long gone are the days of “a penny saved is a penny earned.” A penny, too insignificant for most to pick up off the sidewalk or accept as change in a business transaction. Yet, the most famous clock in the world rights itself with a penny here or there.
Reminds me of a verse from the Old Testament found in Zechariah 4:10.
“Who despises the day of small things?”
Lots of us.
But not God.
Remember?
One small baby in a manger.
One small boy’s very small lunch.
One small cry from the thief on the cross next to Jesus,”remember me.”
Makes me wonder…
What’s my penny?
Something too small to deal with, so insignificant compared to what I’d hoped for ( like it was for those recalling the former grandeur of Solomon’s Temple in Zechariah) that I’m willing to ignore, reject, leave it lying there or pack it down deep inside, hoping it will all go away.
“Who despises the day of small things?
Sometimes, I do.
A penny for your thoughts.
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Zechariah 4:10 has been a huge verse for us lately! Someday I’ll tell you the whole story, but in summary, Steve recently was asked to look into staring a college at our church! The first “Redeemer College” students started the end of August – all 2 of them! Thankful that we serve a God who does not despise small beginnings and is teaching us so much in the process.