For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up 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 together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast 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 for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
Seasons of Life. My husband and I have now officially entered the “empty nesters” season of our lives. When our youngest child left for college, two of our children lived with us while saving money for their own homes and, in the one case, marriage. I have really noticed the difference in my grocery bill! In addition, there is not as much cleaning and laundry to be done. I do miss having the constant noise and activity. The house is almost too quiet right now.
I just returned from a trip to be with my mother and accompany the group from her retirement village to the Creation Museum and the Arc. My mother just celebrated her 94th birthday! I was there to push my mother in a wheel chair because walking great distances is difficult for my mother in this season of life. She does enjoy more “free time” and spends much time visiting with friends and neighbors and helping others. Her schedule is more open but her physical limitations sometimes get frustrating for her.
As mentioned previously, one daughter just got married. She is setting up her new house and getting into routines. There is a learning curve, as many of us know, in that first year of marriage as you learn to adapt to another’s lifestyle and opinions. Of course, they are in love and have been dreaming of living with that special person that God had picked for them for quite a few years.
It is fun being “in charge” of decisions at their own house! There are joys and frustrations in this season of life as they are learning to live with another person in love.
My other daughter is in college. She is thoroughly enjoying having close friends around much of the day and being able to find someone to do something with quite easily. She is not enjoying homework, tests, papers and projects. The fellowship (especially college football games) is wonderful; the responsibilities and the unknown future are not so wonderful in this season of her life.
Our oldest son and his wife are expecting their first child! That was such a wonderful stage of life. And yet, I do not miss changing dirty diapers and trying to calm a crying child in the wee hours of the morning. There are joys and sleepless hours in that season of life.
We are all in different stages of life. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 talks about the various seasons of life that we experience. Each season has wonderful attributes. Each season has components that are not so enjoyable. The secret is to enjoy the pleasant moments in each particular stage while trusting God that the unpleasant moments will be for our good in the long run. While on this earth, we endure the various seasons of life until we enjoy the ultimate season with God in heaven. Then there will be only joy!!!!! Tis the ultimate season!
Krista Koch,
Math Teacher