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.