Seasons

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Ecclesiastes 3:3-8 (NIV)

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.


In just a couple of weeks, we will change from this season to the next. We haven't had much of a spring. but soon it will be summer. Just as the seasons change, there are seasons that we experience in life. In the book of Ecclesiastes, we read that there is a season for everything. Those seasons referred to in Ecclesiastes remind us that we have changes in our lives that take us from one season to another. 

When we start out in life we struggle through the years of adolescence and young adulthood. Marriage, beginning a career, and starting a family, are all things that consume our time and our focus for a season of our lives. Then as we reach middle age, we experience the empty nest, and possibly grandchildren. We have entered into another season of life. We may face retirement during this season. Some may need to get reacquainted with our spouse, vacationing and traveling along with other things that we had on our bucket list for this season of our lives. 

But seasons take a different turn in our lives. We may find ourselves taking care of parents instead of children. Our parents may find themselves in situations where they may become physically, mentally, or socially challenged. They may have mobility issues and withdraw socially,  Dementia may enter into the picture. 

In this season of our lives, we may find ourselves taking turns with siblings caring for our parents. This necessary shared responsibility is another season of our lives.

These "seasonal" changes are usually not invited. They often come at inopportune times. They sometimes rewrite plans we had made. Sometimes they might contribute to family friction.

I think that this is what Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, had in mind when he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes,. This book is full of wisdom and reminds us that seasons require adjustment. Recognizing this wisdom helps us to handle the seasons we face.

I hope that this Installment of my blog you will find helpful. One comforting thought is that seasonal change is no respecter of persons. Be willing to reach out to others and help them as they face different seasons in their lives.

Until next time, let's be intentional about caring for one another.

Comments

  1. David MinteerJune 9, 2025 at 5:43 PM

    Amen

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 9, 2025 at 6:34 PM

    Thankyou! A blessing to read and think on

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pam HarlanJune 9, 2025 at 6:46 PM

    Beautiful words with so much wisdom. Lord give us grace to do as you ask.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJune 9, 2025 at 7:38 PM

    Very good message.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Alice HydrickJune 9, 2025 at 9:54 PM

    Well said! Great message with food for thought!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. BobJune 10, 2025 at 7:17 AM

    How true it is it's been awhile, thanks for writing this. It's great to read your blog again

    ReplyDelete

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