For Every Season

It is officially fall, Autumn, a beautiful time of year.  But this is it hits me differently.  Today, I attended a graveside service of a dear friend of mine.  She was my Pastor, friend, confidant; she taught me so much.  In particular, she taught me about "seasons".    This was probably one of the first lessons I heard her teach. It was at a women's event and I was fairly new to the church - but it struck a chord with me.  She shared how each season has its own beauty - but often we overlook it as we wait in anticipation for the next season.  When we are single, we can't wait for the season of dating.  When dating, awaiting the season of marriage.  When newlywed, awaiting the season of children.  When exhausted with caring for a family, the season of empty nest is appealing.  But when you focus on what you don't have or the season you are yet to see, you miss out on the season you are in.  God has something for you today, in this season.  Don't miss what God has for you today as you look toward the future.  Enjoy this season!

God tells us in the Book of Ecclesiastes:

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.


I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever.  Nothing can be added to it,
      And nothing taken from it. 

This is a new season.  For her family.  For her church.  For her friends.  For me.  I will truely miss her but I have the peace of know that for those who know Jesus Christ as Savior, to be absence from the body is to be present with the Lord.   In that knowledge, I can rejoice in this season.

With Love, 

Tammy

In loving memory of Linda S. Graves