There are two ways to look at everything, both valid in their time. (Click on painting, and again, for larger view.)
One of the delights of writing these blog posts is receiving feedback from readers. Two recently questioned a word I used and I figured I must have missed something. And sure enough.
The word was “God’s speed,” which I used as a phrase. It was part of a closing ditty in the post/prosem* entitled “Slow, Beauty Ahead.” In that, I recommended slowing down to appreciate the beauty everywhere and suggested that in this case speed, even God’s, would not be the most helpful. But, as you’ll shortly see (if you speed read ahead), I was not using the word according to its historical usage, where Godspeed has nothing to do with velocity.
Sometimes though, the hurry-up is exactly what I want from God. I do want to get there (wherever) quickly. I do want this root canal to go fast. The speed of light sounds just about right for an awkward phone call I’d like to get behind me.
Time, as we already knew before Einstein, is relative. Sometimes it seems fast, other times slow. More, sometimes we want it to go fast, other times to slow down. Like the following:
When time seems slow and we’d like to be fast:
A year, when you’re a child (like waiting for Christmas)
When you’re in love and waiting to see him/her next
When we’re on a fast (which should really be renamed a slow)
A sleepless night
A math test
When time seems fast and we’d like it to go slow:
A year, when you’re an adult (“What, Christmas already?”)
When you’re in love and spending last hours together
A great meal
Having any kind of a good time
A math test
Any additions to these lists will be welcome, but you get the idea. Sometimes we want God’s speed; sometimes we want God’s freeze-frame, deliberate, molasses slowness to help us see the real essence of things. But neither of these has to do with the real meaning of Godspeed.
Rather, that word comes out of the middle-English expression “May God spede you,” and basically means “May God prosper you.” It’s an expression of good wishes for success and safety, for thriving and prospering, and for general well being. Added to it all is an element of good cheer.
No wonder my intelligent readers questioned why I wouldn’t want that, whatever the situation! I stand corrected and am cheered by it.
So, dear reader,
here’s my wish:
Whatever you’re facing,
joy or pain,
Godspede you,
and bring you gain.
PS The night after I drafted this, Anne said she heard me humming in my sleep, a couple of times. That’s a first. Must have been the cheer.
____________________________
*Prosem, a word of my own devising, is something like a poem–in its condensing of thought and language–but without the kind of structure of even a free-verse poem.
Next: A Time for Everything. Coming Wednesday.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
8:53 am
Love the painting “defining moments”!
9:07 am
Beautiful, just beautiful Hyatt. Thank you for the explanation of the salutation on your blog ” Slow, beauty ahead”….I have never researched the word “God speede” before and also enjoyed the poem you wrote….is it yours?
9:40 am
So now we all know what Godspeed really means … finally! Never really made much sense to me no matter how or where I used it, until now. Now I love it. A greeting that is synonymous with “God bless you” perhaps, only a hint richer. So, to all of you reading, including you, Hyatt, I bid you Godspede on this glorious Sunday!
12:01 am
Your reference to a math test in both scenarios not only tickled my funnybone but reminded me of some lyrics to a song I heard from Him and wrote down:
“For all good things come from the One who’s called us all by name;
And trusting Him will prove all circumstances are the same. ”
The chorus goes on to explain how that can be:
“Your Word is true, of this I’m sure,
It matters not what my eyes see,
’cause You’re always thinking good towards me.
Yes, You’re always thinking good towards me.”
I love how God paints His truth through your words and your brushes. Godspeed to you, Hyatt!
10:14 am
Hi Hyatt,
Maybe the word/or words should be God’s pace or Godspace, leaving room or space for Him no matter what speed we’re going/or traveling.
4:50 pm
I am so glad to know what that word, Godspede really means! I did think it meant, “God hurry up and help!” Hahahah! Yes, sometimes I wish He would listen to me instead of me needing to listen to Him and His perfect timing on things. I love that Godspede is such a lovely blessing on the other person! Great! I will use this now! Thank you Hyatt!
7:09 am
There are some things I would like to share in response, but I am out of “time” – that mysterious measurement we have created that keeps a constant pace while we experience it as fast, slow, and I would add, fast and slow at the same time, sometimes. I wonder if we might all agree that the best moments in life are, or at least seem to be, timeless. And imagining how God is outside of time, now that is a thought to ponder. I like C.S. Lewis’s comments on the subject that go something like, we are not really of this world, which is why we are forever coming up against the confines of our bodies…wait. I am going to consult the bookshelf so I can do the quote justice. Meanwhile, I just sent my daughter off to Baja for a few days of whale watching with a “Godspeed,” knowing afresh just what I meant. Thank you, Hyatt. And welcome home.