Friday, November 15, 2013

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!   

21 comments:

Vickie said...

Good Morning Shirlee! You do not need to include me in this giveaway. It is a great giveaway though. =)
Your friend had very good advice indeed.
Today I immediately answered your thankfulness question with "LOVE". We went to visit Brian's 94 year old grandma yesterday with Henry. She has Alzheimer's pretty bad. But she was happy to see us and hold and pet Henry. She may not have known us at all, but she knew we loved her. We told her so!

Angela said...

Good morning Shirlie, Yes I do still visit but have been a slacker when it comes to commenting. However this morning I can't help myself. These are my favorite scriptures. Everyone knows these are to be used at my passing. I heard them used at a funeral years ago and it was beautiful. And by the way the song was one of my favorite as well. True, we are all in a new season of our life, and it is up to us to make the best of it. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day.
Angela

Vicki said...

Shirlee, do not include me in your giveaway - I already have a copy of The Message. I am thankful for so many things, but the basis for all of my gratefulness is my faith. Without my faith, I would not have so many of the other things I am thankful for!

Anonymous said...

Shirlee,
I have always loved this song and had no idea it pertains to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I am thankful for many blessings in my life. The one thing I am thankful for today is this post. It sends a clear message and there are days I need to be reminded of this Season of Change.

Please include me in your giveaway. I am a follower.

Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Carolyn
canbnyes@gmail.com

Maureen said...

Good morning Shirlee, you shared a wonderful story this morning that I will keep in my heart. Thank you...I need these reminders. As for my thanks for today, I was feeling kind of grumbly about having to head out to the grocery store this morning.It's not my favorite chore
but the fridge is pretty bare. As I was looking over my list it dawned on me I need to be thankful for the fact that I can hop in my warm car, with its tank full of gas and drive to our local store that has such a variety of good food.I have nothing to be grumbly about at all and I am thankful for blessings I tend to take for granted.
I would love the chance to win your giveaway. Thank you!

gracie said...

One of my favorite songs...please enter me in your give away. I am grateful for everyday that I have with the love of my husband.It is good to know we have one another to lean on when there is a season for changes.

bettyj said...

Well Kiddo, you hit my favorite scripture too. Read at my Moms funeral and will be read at mine. I chose a different one for Curtis. Yes, we have season I know I am in winter, but winter lasts a long time. Love that and am Thankful you posted that today.

butterfly said...

Lovely words from your friend There is always a new season waiting for us ,enjoy your day sweet friend.

Karyn said...

Awesome post, Shirlee :) Thank you for the reminder!
I'm thankful today for your post, xoxo
Hugs
Ma

Bonnie said...

Enjoy your words from the Bible so much Your thought on today is so meaningful for me today as my son Adult son wants to be paid for everything he is doing in the free home I am providing him to live in. He needs to know that someday he will have to take responsibility to provide for his own living. I know times are difficult with so many out of work. Sorry I needed also to have someone else listen.

capecodgirl565 said...

Hi Shirlee,
Where to begin with what I am thankful for..the unconditional love of my husband and family, a warm home, plenty of food and life! I am most thankful for God's love and forgiveness and the price that was paid for it by our Savior Jesus Christ. What a wonderful giveaway and keep the beautiful posts coming! Please enter me for a chance.

cucki said...

Such a sweet post dear..
Sending you lots of blessings xx

Wendy S. said...

Just found your blog today. And I wanted to say thank you. It seems that lately I have been finding new blogs with messages that I really need to hear at the moment and today yours touched me and I am thankful that I found it. Hugs!

Sherry said...

Shrilee, thank you for the song. I enjoyed hearing it again. Do not enter my name in your give away. Give it to someone ele. I feel I have a blessed life. You are a special friend. We should make a point to meet one day.

Pam in IL said...

Thanks for sharing this as I needed to hear it today :)

Since I'm a previous winner, please don't include me in the giveaway.

I'm thankful for my family and friends.

Stitchy Mc Floss said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michelle said...

A sweet post Shirlee x

Maggee said...

Good afternoon! I do not want to enter the giveaway (already have that version) but wanted to say that was a great post! More later... Hugs!

Simply Victoria said...

Thankful for the way God is using you in my life and others! Great giveaway again - we already have that version so don't enter me.

Catherine said...

Lovely post ~ these are someone of my favorite words. I am thankful, that no matter how trying some days can be, I can still see the beauty around me and find something to be thankful for!

Heritage Hall said...

Grateful for souls like you, Shirlee, who nourish us with His
word so appropriately and in season. Your blog is a blessing.
Would welcome the opportunity to
win the giveaway.....Many thanks.
Mary