By QuaWanna Bannarbie

This week, I had the pleasure of joining Mrs. Mitzi’s Storey’s fourth-grade class at Hillpoint Elementary School for a field trip to Jamestown Historic Settlement. I overheard a young girl in the class question whether one of the tour guides was telling the truth in the demonstration he had given. She worded her inquiry something like this: “If these people did not live in that time, how do they know these things they are saying?”

Mrs. Storey explained that the demonstrator was sharing information that had been retold in stories ever since that historic period. I was impressed that she was assessing the history that had been shared. She is 10 years old, and she lives in an age where “fact checking” is real to her generation. I am not sure of the message that she had received in her mind, but I loved that she did not stopped at unspoken, introspective questioning but voiced her concerns to her teacher.

If you are a frequent user of Facebook, you have likely received one of the “On this Day” notifications. When Facebook introduced this idea of sharing past events, the Facebook newsroom announced that it was a new way to “look back on the memories you have shared.” Has it ever stunned you how what you posted just a year ago or four years ago speaks to you today?

History is a messenger.

The fourth-grader I spoke of heard the same historical information that we all heard. Yet, she reflected on it perhaps differently than the rest of us. Reflection is the beauty of history. When Facebook alerts you of a memory, it offers you an opportunity to reflect on your own personal accounts, memories and milestones. In most cases, it triggers a “fall back.”

Many people hate this time of year because it gets darker sooner in the evening. Many of us grumble about it something awful. Let me help you stop grumbling.

This week, I realized that during this time of the year, people are normally reflecting over the year that has passed. Now that we are at fewer than 60 days until we ring in the new year, we are considering the time we have left in 2018. While it may be unspoken, several personal, historical moments in our lives are forcing some needed fall back.

If you consider that the end of daylight-saving time in the fall and winter season affords us a borrowed hour in the morning, we actually have more time in the morning for devotion and self-care. We need this time of self-reflection in November and December. It is a gift. You should be looking back and questioning the integrity of your life. Have you been true to yourself? Are you upholding your values? Are you a negative or positive person? What is bringing you joy right now? Are you achieving the goals that you set for yourself in 2018? Are you healthy?

If the answers are not settling well with you, I suggest you consult John 9:4. “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” God may not have the credit for daylight-saving time in the history books, but the value of the time offered in that fall back is certainly a God idea.

QuaWanna Bannarbie is an adjunct professor of nonprofit leadership and management with Indiana Wesleyan University, National and Global. Her children attend Suffolk Public Schools. Connect with her via Twitter @QNikki_Notes.