EMBRACE YOUR SEASON!

To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under
heaven (Ecc. 3:1)

Stopping by a local discount store, I was struck instantly by the various merchandise displays.  Within only an aisle or two,  I came across Fourth of July picnic supplies; Fall pumpkins, and Christmas decorations all ready for purchase!  It was hard to know what to focus on first!  What a confusing mess!

It made me think about the seasons in a human's life. You know God is so thoughtful and orderly. He designed each one of us with a specific purpose and time frame to fulfill His plan. Furthermore, He did it with such wisdom and loving care.

Each season of life is unique with a special beauty about it.  Within its intricacies and limitations, it develops and matures us for leaving one and gracefully entering the next one.  However, we tend to miss the glory of God's handiwork by either rushing into one season too soon or lingering longer than we should in another!

Read this familiar passage from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:

3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

There are 28 different seasons illustrated in this text!  More than enough to capture the essence of our human existence.  But in our foolish vanity we refuse to embrace the normal ebb and flow of each season and its valuable lessons opting instead to manipulate them for our own selfish desires.

It saddens me to see adult women in one season trying too hard to fit into a season they left long ago.
I'm all for personal expression at any age.  And there's something quite inspirational about a man or woman who stays active and vibrant as they age. But this does not mean that every fashion trend is appropriate for you.  You don't have to dress down or dowdy to be attractive but as an older woman once told me; just because you can get in it....doesn't mean you should wear it! 

Men too, suffer from this cultural phenomenon.  We've all seen the jet black hair and the gray mustaches that don't match. Shirts opened to the navel with gold chains over salt and pepper chest hairs.  Speedos at the swimming pool barely visible under pot bellies and ads for pills promising more stamina and virility. No one it seems is content with being who they are and the consumer industry is making big bucks off of it all!

Staying seasonally appropriate has benefits with long range effects we might not have thought about.  It teaches the following generations how to transcend the ravages of aging in an emotionally healthy and spiritual way.  Robbed of the season of innocence, our children are sexualized early, their minds focused on adult things. This makes it difficult for parents to train and mold them into the moral, productive individual God desires (Proverbs 22:6) .

 Even if we're blessed to get them through the adolescent and teen seasons, there is a tendency for them to languish there.  They do not want to take on the accountability and responsibilities of the adult season and become independent.  Think about it!  Why should they? They now have parents who have become adult playmates with lots of money! 

America has a long way to go in the respect they show seasoned adults!  Perhaps if we caught up with other countries, we wouldn't find it so hard to embrace our seasons:  In Asian countries like China, Japan, and Korea to get older is to be revered, respected, and to become an honored member of the family and society.  In fact, in China the elderly can sue their children for financial and emotional support.  In Scotland older citizens are sought after mentors, and founts of wisdom.  They are influential and do not have to fight to be heard. Regardless, the greatest motivation one can have to appreciate the gift of years is to remember that if you're not satisfied with the season you're in, God's love is big enough and long enough to follow you into the next one.  You'll always have a place and a plan in His kingdom!


UNTIL NEXT TIME...

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com  click on the  no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.

ANOTHER WAY TO REMEMBER - 9/11!

But Christ being come an High
Priest of good things to come...
(Hebrews 9:11)

It has been 17 years today (September 11, 2001) that the Twin Towers fell in New York City! The enemy made his way on to sacred ground. The heart of America's finances, the hub of our beloved music and entertainment industry, and home to 8.284 million people!

As we busied ourselves that Tuesday morning, fighting freeway traffic, grabbing coffee before work, we were struck by the news... the enemy was upon us, airplanes were falling from the sky!   For many it shook our world. It certainly did for the families of the 2,977 victims of this terrorist attack.  

Today, even in the midst of the chaos occurring in our own cities and nation's capitol, there will be tributes, memorials, and documentaries reminding us of this tragedy.  I'm asking that while we solemnly honor the victims and heroes of that time that we not grieve as those who have no hope (I Thess 4:13).   Jesus is STILL on the throne and Americans as tragically wounded as we are spiritually, have much to be THANKFUL for!  

In my devotion this morning, I decided to remember 9/11 in a different way!  I searched the Bible (God's word) for scripture references that would bring hope and not despair.  I offer them to you now so that those of us who know the end of the story of life here on earth, may share it and help others who are still suffering.  

In Times of Despair:

1.  Remember the Covenant Promises of God. 

Genesis 9:11
And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.  

2.  One day God will Restore all the Broken places. 

Amos 9:11
In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old. 

3. God will Save His People from Disasters.

Zechariah 9:11
As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. 

4.  Our Nation is Hurting but look to Jesus for Healing.

Luke 9:11
And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God and healed them that had need of healing.

 5. Our Prayers will be Answered for the Lord Jesus Himself is Interceding on our behalf.

Hebrews 9:11
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

6. Continue to Praise Him for His Faithfulness

Psalms 9:11
Sing praises to the Lord, which dwellers in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

The Terrorist Attacks of 9/11 will not be last of the tragedies that will befall us as we get closer to the Return of Christ.  These and others visited upon our nation will be chronicled in history until the end of time. The best way to handle calamities like this and others is to put your hope in the One Who promises to protect you and see you through to the end:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com  click on the  no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.