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Receive the Day


Almost four years ago, the pastor of the church I attended preached a sermon on Ecclesiastes 3. As one of the main points of the sermon, he used this phrase "Accipio Diem" as opposed to "Carpe Diem," the one we are all quite familiar with.

"Accipio Diem" means to "receive the day" or "To receive as a friend the day". What got me remembering this sermon and the phrase was the approach of Father's Day, one of our heavy grief days of the year. Sometimes we try to hide and avoid these days. We mentally catalog triggers and do our best to survive.

But, receiving the day as a friend is a completely different story. I really don't want to treat these days as a friend. I view them as enemies, yet I recall Jesus saying something about loving your enemies. I know He was speaking about people, but it seems to apply in this case.

I looked closer at all the "time" verses in chapter 3 and looked to deconstruct the meanings behind all the words. Out of this deconstruction and reconstruction, this poem was born. It's my "how" for how to "receive the day." It uses the technique of inversion, which means the main verses can be read forwards and backwards. They have unique connotations when you do so.

In the abandoning, there is surrendering

In the scattering, there is dispersing

In the uprooting, there is displacing

In the tearing, there is dividing

In the warring, there is contending

In the silencing, there is refraining

In the weeping, there is shedding

In the mourning, there is lamenting.

Seasons come and seasons go

Fast one moment; another slow

Inch by inch our hearts do grow

And in time we know

How to receive the day.

In the searching, there is inquiring

In the keeping, there is treasuring

In the mending, there is righting

In the healing, there is restoring

In the embracing, there is encircling

In the gathering, there is assembling

In the planting, there is establishing

In the building, there is strengthening.

Seasons come and seasons go

They exalt us and bring us low

The passing years their wisdom bestow

And with each breath we know

How to receive the day.

In mercy and humility

In purity and peace

There's a love that spans eternity

With a beauty that will ever increase.

Seasons come and seasons go

The acts of God are an everlasting tableau

Of justice and righteousness that overflows

And through His workings we know

How to receive the day.


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