Wow, summer went by fast. Are you reminiscing about the fun and freedom of summer vacations? Are you reliving moments spent together with children and extended family? Are you trying to ignore the waning of warmer weather which removes the gloom of Oregon's rain and clouds? Do you find yourself feeling melancholy knowing the everyday grind is back? This missing of summer days and their fun reminds me of that famous passage in Ecclesiastes. Chapter 3, verses 1-5. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ..." etc. We often take this passage to mean that life is filled with many things, some quite difficult. But just a little further in verses 11-12 we read: "He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; ..." (emphasis mine) So this isn't talking about God designing a perfect time for everything under heaven as much as it is saying that we have a habit of remembering better days and missing the past instead of embracing with all joy the present. When unpleasant things come we need to remember that to live with joy is what life is about. That life should be lived, at all times and in all circumstances, remembering it's preciousness. What is the take-away then? Well, each of us will see it differently because we are unique. But here's an example from my life. You have often read about our littlest grandchildren. They are such a gift and fill my life up with so much joy that I cherish each time I get to have them here. But now our son, their father, has taken a job out of our immediate area. They won't be too far away but frequent visits during the week won't happen any more. Should I spend time now missing the days I won't have anymore? I need to find new purpose for the allotted time I used to get with them. I realize that God has something I need to do now with this time. I'm asking, but I'm not sure yet what he has in mind. Ecclesiastes tells me I need to find the JOY in this time because it's perfectly made for now. And when I do get to see my littlest ones again, my heart will be full of joy and I will have plenty to share. Find your joy. Whatever moment you may have before you, remember God made it perfectly for you and now. Each breath is a gift, don't waste it on wishing for something else... it could be that the future turns out better than what you want to relive. ~ Andi
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