A Season

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. 

I've been thinking on this verse from the Bible. Everything has its time, huh? Does God really care enough to put it in His Word- that I understand this nature of life called "seasons?" Why?... Why does God want me to know that "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens?"

Perhaps it is there to bring peace of mind... To bring peace when there is an unsettlement in my wandering spirit and "ahead-of-the-game" thought-life...When there is a longing for something that is out of my reach, or out of my season.

Q: If I live my life in surrender to God, does it mean He will give me everything I need? 

According to Matthew chapter 6, I don't need to worry about food, drink, or what I'll wear...My Father knows what I need. He will take care of me.

A: So, yes.

At the end of Matthew 6, it says in verse 34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

No anxiety and no concern for what's next?...Wow. Sounds like living present to me. I've struggled with that for some time in my life...in this season.

You see, in Ecclesiastes 3, where Solomon speaks of "a time for everything," he is speaking of a time; an appointed time that is set or designated. And a "season," is time of various lengths.

At the very end of Matthew where it says, "Each day has enough trouble of its own," a day is, simply, a day or a time of day or, simply, a period of time.

So, can I conclude from these passages- that there are appointed times in my life for certain happening to take place, for me to learn certain lessons, take particular actions, encounter designated people and situations and emotions and experiences...That these appointed times come in various lengths... Some seasons are lengthy and tough, some are short and sweet and every combinations in between... Can I conclude that I could prolong a season if I miss my appointments or complain my way away from learning a life-lesson? How does one stay on schedule or on track or focused on what's at hand in his/her season?...

Look, there I  go, trying to figure out how to best organize my season again... And right then I am reminded that each period of time has enough trouble of its own.

In the questioning and studying and praying, I am finding that in order to embrace and experience each season, I must not be worried about the next. All I am given is today. The season at hand is where I am living. If I am too worried about the next big decision or how that important milestone of my life will take place in the future, I can miss the appointments God has designated for me to live in NOW.

Today I left school campus at 1pm. Whew, I am loving my schedule for spring semester. :) No more 12 hour days on campus. I got a much more concise class schedule, thankfully. So, I left campus, hungry, ready for lunch...I messaged a new friend to see if she'd like to meet- she was unavailable. I met my Dad. I hadn't seen him for over a week. It was a real nice time together! :)

Today's positive thought and attitude is this: I love that God has given me this season, living back in the same city as my parents and sister. I spend a large majority of my time with my family. I could look at my season in the sense that I came back to a place where I have much fewer close-knit friendships than what I've had in the past. But instead I'm choosing the bright side. The truth is that I have been given this opportunity to spend significant time with my family. In the past year and a half, I have gotten to build memories, experiences, have conversations, and see healthy progress in my immediate family relationships. Who knows what my next season will hold. Who knows if I will ever again live in the same town as my family. Who knows how far off I am from starting my own branch of the family...This time, this season- is a gift. And I am so thankful that I can call up my dad, out of the blue, and drive ten minutes to meet him for lunch. I am thankful that my Dad is alive and well and our relationship is strong. It's a blessing to watch it progress as well, because it really is progressing.

I pray that my readers will be encouraged to enjoy and live in the season you're in, today. I believe God has something great in store for you. May your eyes, ears, heart and mind be at rest and present to fully receive the gifts of today.

Much love,
Grace