Ecclesiastes 3

"To everything there is a season...."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

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This Bible verse has a special meaning to me. I was reminded of it a few days ago when a friend mentioned that she was a bit envious that I have uninterrupted moments of time when I can sit & read & stitch & do whatever else I want to do, whereas she has the responsibilities of taking care of a rather large family & therefore time for her to do these things is difficult to come by.  

When I was 28, John & I were living in Florida in our first home.  Our daughter Kati was 2-1/2 at the time.  I was a stay-at-home mom & making ends meet was tough.  My days consisted of taking care of Kati & taking care of the house.  This one particular summer my 18-year-old niece decided to come for a visit for 2 weeks.  Every day she went to the beach, went shopping, met kids her own age, went to parties in the evenings, etc.  Meanwhile there I was sitting at home with Kati, taking care of her & worrying about the mortgage & all the other bills.  I was feeling somewhat sorry for myself & also somewhat jealous I guess.  I had a very good friend back then who was 10 years older than I was.  I mentioned to her how I was feeling & her response was "Remember Shirlee, to everything there is a season."  She went on to explain that not so long ago I had been 18 & it was me who was going to fun places & doing fun things without any responsibilities to worry about.  I was now in a new season ... making a home & taking care of my family.  I had my season of being 18 ... it was now my niece's turn to have that season.  What my friend said really made an impression on me.  She was right!  It was like a light bulb went on in my head & it really turned my thinking around.  Over the years there have been times that I have needed to remind myself "to everything there is a season."  Not quite in the same way as back then, but it really helps to remember these words from time to time.  Many seasons are behind me but there are still seasons ahead. I'm sure these words will serve me in the future as well   : ) 

When I was a teenager, a group called The Byrds recorded a song titled Turn, Turn, Turn.  It was a beautiful song & very popular at the time.  Below is a YouTube video you can click in case you're not familiar with the song or if you'd just like to hear it again.  The lyrics are taken from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

     

"To everything there is a season, & a time to every purpose under heaven.

A time to be born, a time to die;

A time to plant, a time to reap;

A time to kill, a time to heal;

A time to laugh, a time to weep;

A time to build up, a time to break down;

A time to dance, a time to mourn;

A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together;

A time of love, a time of hate;

A time of war, a time of peace;

A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain, & a time to lose;

A time to rend,  a time to sew."

Are you keeping up with the 30 Days of Thankfulness challenge I issued at the beginning of the month?  Today I am thankful for that good friend of mine who once said to me "Remember Shirlee, to everything there is a season."

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How about I have another giveaway?  This will be a Thanksgiving giveaway.  I will choose a winner on Thanksgiving morning.  To enter, simply be a current follower as of the time of this post & leave a comment telling me what you're thankful for today   : )   Comment no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, November 27th.  If you comment, you will automatically have a chance to win the giveaway.  If you want to comment but do not want a chance to win the giveaway, make sure you tell me so in your comment.  Also, make sure I have some way to get in touch with you should you win.

Please do not mention this giveaway on your blog.  My purpose in having giveaways is to treat my followers, not gain more.  

  

What will you win?  A brand new hardback New Testament with Psalms & Proverbs in The Message translation!

NOTE:  This is not a purse-size book.

It is regular-size book with 816 pages.

Because of this, I regretfully cannot include overseas followers in the giveaway.

It would just be too expensive for me to mail the book   : ( 

Best of luck to all who enter!