After the Iron Bowl of 2013, there has been a lot of hype about one second, and basically one second made a difference in the outcome of that inner state football rivalry. Most of us probably do not even think about one second because it takes place so fast that even we can’t comprehend it at times. Swimmers have won gold medals in the Olympics by shaving one second off their time and NASCAR drivers win millions by crossing the finish line one second ahead of the closest competitor.

However, to most of us we may not even dwell on seconds just knowing there are 60 ticks on an analog clock’s second hand to mark off another minute. But in some cases that one second will bring drastic changes in our lives and in the lives of our family and friends.

Just this past weekend friends of Lynn and I suffered a house fire. The fire probably began in one second, but that one second made a change in their lives and affected their lives for a lengthy time to come, as the place they have called home for many years was damaged.

Even more bad news was received Monday when we learned that a classmate of ours passed away suddenly. In just one second, his wife was a widow and six children lost their father. Also, his church lost their beloved pastor and leader.

Hearing the news of both of these events really brought me back to a quick realization. None of us likely think about how quickly our lives can be changed or even be over. One second we think all is well with the world and we have a long life left, and the next second we could be stepping into eternity.

Time is a gift from God with none of us knowing how much or how little we have left, or the changes that we may face in our lives along the way. But that one second is always there and it can change our lives forever.

My thoughts and prayers go out to both families for their loss. I know both have faith that God will comfort them in their loss and His presence can be felt in their lives. I am going to work harder to make the most of my seconds and try to make a difference with those that I have left, with the awareness that we are not promised another second on this side of eternity. Thank you God for comfort and the promise that you hold our future in your hands, where seconds will no longer matter.

Randy Garrison is the president and publisher of the Hartselle Enquirer.