Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Seasons of life
We are expecting snow today; currently, a cold rain has arrived overnight, covering the fall leaves with a gleasoning mist before sunrise. A new season is arriving, one that is predictable; still, we shudder to think of another long winter.
Historically, poets have waxed eloquently and Patriarchs have shared great wisdom regarding the seasons of life. Perhaps the most famous is found in Ecclesiastes, chapter 3: A Time for Everything. "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and atime to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." (verses 1-8)
We know that Sally is in the time of her winter season. What we do not know is the time remaining. However, it can be said, and should be proclaimed; we know how she has lived throughout each of the preceding seasons of her life. As a matter of fact, her steadfast character remains strong as she lays in her hospital bed. God has uniquely designed and greatly gifted this wonderful woman of faith. Her presence in our lives has not only blessed each person she loves, it will forever influence generations to come. While winter seems bleak, it is rich in its purpose. So it can be said of Sally's circumstance.
"[God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from begining to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it." (verses 11-14)
Of Sally's life, it can be said, "[S]he is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever [s]he does prospers." (Psalm 1: 3) In each season of Sally's life, it is continually said, "Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her; many women do noble things, but [she] surpasses them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Giver her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." (Proverbs 31: 28)
Today, as we remain on our knees before God for Sally's healing, we celebrate all the seasons of her life. Each lived well, each loved well. No matter the circumstances of each season, Sally's life demonstrated the willing surrender to the God of her faith. On this day, her surrender is real. Not the giving-up-kind-of-surrender, but a reliance: I'm-counting-on-your-faithfulness kind of surrender. Just as the seasons of life surrender to the other, Sally's life is a rich example of trusting the seasons God has purposed for each day of her life. May we learn from such a life, not taking one thing away from it or adding anything to it in an attempt to understand. May we simply surrender to the "God who makes everything beautiful in its time."
We are expecting snow today; currently, a cold rain has arrived overnight, covering the fall leaves with a gleasoning mist before sunrise. A new season is arriving, one that is predictable; still, we shudder to think of another long winter.
Historically, poets have waxed eloquently and Patriarchs have shared great wisdom regarding the seasons of life. Perhaps the most famous is found in Ecclesiastes, chapter 3: A Time for Everything. "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and atime to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." (verses 1-8)
We know that Sally is in the time of her winter season. What we do not know is the time remaining. However, it can be said, and should be proclaimed; we know how she has lived throughout each of the preceding seasons of her life. As a matter of fact, her steadfast character remains strong as she lays in her hospital bed. God has uniquely designed and greatly gifted this wonderful woman of faith. Her presence in our lives has not only blessed each person she loves, it will forever influence generations to come. While winter seems bleak, it is rich in its purpose. So it can be said of Sally's circumstance.
"[God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from begining to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it." (verses 11-14)
Of Sally's life, it can be said, "[S]he is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever [s]he does prospers." (Psalm 1: 3) In each season of Sally's life, it is continually said, "Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her; many women do noble things, but [she] surpasses them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Giver her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." (Proverbs 31: 28)
Today, as we remain on our knees before God for Sally's healing, we celebrate all the seasons of her life. Each lived well, each loved well. No matter the circumstances of each season, Sally's life demonstrated the willing surrender to the God of her faith. On this day, her surrender is real. Not the giving-up-kind-of-surrender, but a reliance: I'm-counting-on-your-faithfulness kind of surrender. Just as the seasons of life surrender to the other, Sally's life is a rich example of trusting the seasons God has purposed for each day of her life. May we learn from such a life, not taking one thing away from it or adding anything to it in an attempt to understand. May we simply surrender to the "God who makes everything beautiful in its time."
# posted by Diane Viere @ 7:12 AM 
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Beautifully written! I know this is such a hard time for you. The presentation that your great uncle is so appropos to where we have been with Grandpa, and are heading with Grandma. Blessings!
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