DOWN HOME: Are we saving time or losing time?

Posted: 11/03/06

DOWN HOME:
Are we saving time or losing time?

Have you enjoyed Daylight Losing Time the past week or so?

I know, I know. That’s not the name of it. We now officially set our clocks and watches to Central Standard Time. But it feels like Daylight Losing Time to me.

Of course, I realize some people absolutely, positively hate Daylight Saving Time, from which we just rotated. These people have their reasons, which make some sort of sense to them.

In fact, a friend recently sent me a copy of an e-mail letter he shared with another friend. I only read half of the “conversation,” but both of them seem to feel Daylight Saving Time is an abomination. They’re preachers, and one reason they apparently dislike Daylight Saving Time is that it “causes” people to miss church twice a year, on the Sunday mornings after they are supposed to change their clocks.

“Causes” is such an ambiguous word. If anybody blamed the recent time change for backsliding, they’re pulling their preacher’s leg. You know the way to remember which way to change the time: “Spring forward; fall back.” I can see how somebody might show up late for church the first Sunday of April, if they forgot to “spring forward.” But if they forget to “fall back” the last Sunday of October, then—instead of missing church—they should get there in time to brew the coffee and line up the Sunday school chairs.

Anybody who will miss church because of Time-Change Sunday will miss it for just about any other reason. Or no reason.

So, don’t blame Daylight Saving Time for all the church-skipping going on.

My friend who sent the e-mail credited “golfers who want to go home and piddle and play” as the force behind Daylight Saving Time. I see his logic: In the spring and summer, when Daylight Saving Time is in effect, golfers have enough sunlight to get in a round after work but before dark.

But I’m one nongolfer (OK, I have golfed two rounds in my life. When I was 16 and 36. Maybe I’ll go again when I’m 56.) who also thinks Daylight Saving Time is a good idea.

In fact, I’d go for it year-round.

This acquiescence to time change no doubt forsakes my roots in small farming towns, where people order their lives by the sun, not by a timepiece strapped around their wrists.

But I don’t live near or work on a farm anymore. I live in a suburb and commute to work. And when we observe Daylight Losing Time, I sometimes go for five days in a row without being outdoors when the sun shines. So, I’d even go for Double Daylight Saving Time to scoot the ol’ clock around even further and save at least a little sunshine until the end of the day.

Obviously, that’s impractical. And no matter when our clocks and watches are set, I’ll save my pastor the heartburn and try to show up on time for church.

Thinking about Daylight Saving/Losing Time reminds me that it is in the light of God’s love that we want to walk. And we need that even more than sunshine.

–Marv Knox