When you live in a state as I do experiencing the four seasons changing guard with one another throughout the calendar year, you embrace everything beautiful in its own time.
The season of spring showers bringing us May flowers.
The season of bright summer days around baseball fields and concession stands, swimming and snorkeling, fishing with Papa and family visits to the nearby zoo.
The season of fall around a Thanksgiving table, in the stands at a basketball game, another anniversary celebrated at our honeymoon cottage, and taking in the brilliance of a season changing in color.
The season of winter fast asleep under a blanket of snow until spring, peered through a holiday globe of Christmas cheer, sledding, snowball fights and snowflakes falling and glistening as diamonds under the afternoon rays of the sun.
Yes…
There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven-
Ecclesiastes 3:1 AMP
There is …
A time to weep…
A time to mourn…
Ecclesiastes 3:4 AMP
One morning recently as the kitchen windows and front door were opened allowing a cool breeze to surprise me with a slight kiss on the cheek, a slow trickle of raindrops played as a song of tears from heaven dancing outside onto the stage of crisp leaves as they fell in the rain-forest I heard with my eyes closed, watering a new season of sadness and all its firsts our family has recently entered into, with the unexpected loss and love of my sister’s life.
After forty-six years of marriage she can’t escape their time together, sharing on social media, “Everywhere I look or go is a reminder of a memory.”
During the early hour that morning when heaven wept for me in my place, I consoled myself and lit a candle to shine a bit of comfort on the dim place of my heart.
There is…
A time to embrace…
Ecclesiastes 3:5 AMP
And welcome home the simple, the seemingly insignificant moments rich in memories around the table and chairs where families gather.
A kitchen captures the smell of maple syrup from bacon sizzling on mother’s griddle though neighbors catching a waft outside the screened window swear it’s cooking on the open fire while camping.
Enjoying my first cup of coffee still wearing pajamas and seated at the heirloom once owned by mom…
I’ll soon be joined by grandchildren wearing their PJ’s as well and accompanied by parents and Minnie Mae…
Ready to embrace a few moments around a breakfast table of French toast and bacon together; a simple meal yet a memory the grandchildren will remember.
There is…
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
Ecclesiastes 3:3 AMP
The month of May rings the bell for our hardworking farmers to take their place in the fields for planting; when June, July and August call them back out for harvesting.
Flats of strawberries, bushel baskets of corn and zucchini are canned into jams, relish and creamed corn for our delight on a cold winter’s day in December.
There is…
A time to laugh…
A time to dance…
Ecclesiastes 3:4 AMP
Nothing delights a child more than when the county fair comes to town.
Face-painting, cotton candy and a day spent searing memories in the minds of children enjoying an afternoon of thrill and wonder on the county amusement rides, a page of history you’ll remember in great detail looking back as an adult; savoring the laughter and fun of today, wishing the day would never end.
There is…
A time for love…
Ecclesiastes 3:8 AMP
A day isn’t lived unless the day is spent with the ones that you love.
Time passes faster than a fleeting thought.
You must be intentional to capture the moments when the hour is within reach; lest they be lost as sand sifted between your fingers.
Clear your calendar.
Take the pictures.
Brave the heat and eat outside.
Don’t be in a hurry for the check.
Count your blessings and name them one by one.
Count your blessings see what God has done.
(song Count Your Blessings
By Johnson Oatman, Jr.)
Count your blessings no matter the season.
And even reclaim your crown when a re-match of cards is taunted.
Yes…
He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time…
Ecclesiastes 3:11 AMP
Yes…
There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven-
Ecclesiastes 3:1 AMP