a time to...

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, And a time to die;

A time to plant, And a time to pluck 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 cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain, And a time to lose;

A time to keep, And a time to throw away;

A time to tear, And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;

A time to love, And a time to hate;

A time of war, And a time of peace.

What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?  I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied.  He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

~Ecclesiastes 2.1-11~

Recently, I have been presented with several situations that have once again impressed on me the shortness of our time.  A dear college friend and I remembered that we graduated from college three long/short years ago and contemplated how our siblings and parents have all grown up and gotten older.  My once tiny baby is now nine and a half months old.  Friendships are growing and I want more and more time with these wonderful people.  My third wedding anniversary is rushing towards me at breakneck speed.  My brother is deploying to Afghanistan in the Army for nine months, leaving his new wife (they have only been married for three months) behind.  

With all of these different cases, the reality is clear.  I choose what is important to me in the time that I am given by what I choose to do.  God has given all of us a specific amount of time.  What are you doing with it?

I am afraid that I often fill my time with worries, frustrations, and silly little things.  Why do I do that?!  God has put eternity in our hearts and we feel so often the shortness of the time He has given us on this earth.  Put it to use for Him! He is making everything beautiful in its time...even me.  Even this poor, silly, jealous, selfish girl who wants so badly to be a woman for my God.

So as I worry about whether I vacuumed this week, did dishes yet, organized those silly papers on my desk, there are people and tasks out there that actually will fulfill my God-given task which mirrors His.  I am part of His process to make everything beautiful!  I have friends who are weeping this week who need comfort and company, family who is savoring the last few times we get to talk to my brother regularly, and babies to laugh with and watch as they grow physically and spiritually.  

Is this making any sense yet?  I'm not sure I'm making sense to myself entirely.  But this is what I am really trying to say.  Your time is short.  God has things for you to do.  Do them.  Don't get caught up in the silly and petty.  Dishes will always be there.  Your opportunity to laugh with your baby, talk to a family member, or pray for someone, may not be.  

Have a beautiful day, dear friends.