THIS SEASON IN MY LIFE

Ecc. 3:12

I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives,

Well since today is Thursday I have decided to do a Thankful Thursdays post which I haven't done in quite a while.  I gave quite a bit of thought and some prayer about linking up with the gals who have decided to take the challenge of posting or listing their list of blessings and thanks during this month of November, but I have decided that while I WILL keep a list of my thanks on the side of this blog, I am not going to do link up with the others this year.  I feel like I should (even though it is a self imposed feeling) be able to follow along and comment regularly with all the other participants if I do, and I simply don't have the time.  I think I get WAY too carried away sometimes with my comments (and my blogging) and it does tend to take alot of my time.  I am not sure why...maybe I am just too gabby, or think I have always got something to say, haha, but truthfully I think it is because I truly feel like I know sooo many of you, I don't want to miss anything, and visiting is just something I love to do.  But whatever the reason is I have A LOT to do this month, and I am not going to tempt myself by meeting and reading new and no doubt wonderful blog posts.   Sooo, having told you all that, if you would like to read my blessings, they will be listed there on the side underneath my thanksgiving girl.  I am going to try to do a full post on thanksgiving each Thursday during the month of November though.

I feel like every time I get started on one of these posts I could go in soo many different directions with it, (because honestly there is just soo much I am thankful for) that I am never quite sure what I should say.  I feel like I want to dig deeper and list those that aren't as obvious and that I haven't posted about before, and usually more than once.   But even though it goes without saying I will say once again that I am soo thankful for my God, my family, my husband, and all those special little grand kids, my friends, and all of you.   I pray I never take any of them for granted, and that my love for them all will be felt and known.  So with those blessings put aside, today I am grateful for this season in my life.  Now I know that sounds kind of weird, but stick with me for just a minute and I will try and explain.  For the last couple of years especially, I have tried to figure out just where I belong, what with my nest finally being empty and the next 20 or so years (God willing) lying in front me waiting to be filled.  What was I supposed to be doing anyway?  What does God want me to be doing?  I DID NOT want to let go of a season that I had been in for years and years it seemed.  Truthfully most of the time all I could do was look behind me and long for a time that was long gone.  Where my children and my home kept me sooo busy there was really little time for much more, let alone pondering about how to fill my days.  Wasn't that about all I knew about anyway, or certainly what I knew the most about?  How did I get to be in my mid 50's so fast?  I'd watch the REALLY young mom's and think I was pretty sure I didn't want to go back quite that far, haha, but I wasn't quite ready to let go of having any at home either.  And yet as I have stumbled along this new path I have found MANY things that let me know that God still has much for me, and this "season" may be the best yet.  I actually REALLY enjoy living alone with my hubby for one thing.  I didn't even get that when we were first married, but that's another story (that I think I have shared before anyway) We have settled into our little routines and activities that we both love and just make us who we are together.  I love spending a day with any of my grandkids, and yet still be able to come home to the quietness of our little home and not be responsible for the TONS AND TONS of work that go into the job of child rearing.  I love being able to spend the day with my mom even if we have things we must do such as doc appointments or grocery shopping, without worrying about who is filling in with my absence at home.  I love picking up the phone and hearing one of my kids voices on the other line and knowing I can settle in for a long chat without worrying that I need to get to work or take a kid somewhere or cook dinner for everyone or a million other little tasks that might need to be done.  I love being able to make all the grand kids Christmas jammies and know that I can take my time, and still get the job done.  I love being able to have lunch with a girl friend and chat the afternoon away, something that when I was knee deep in kids just seldom or never happened.   I love an afternoon at a grand kids ball game, and time to just ENJOY them at a movie or a special one on one day with me.  I love being able to take a little nap in the afternoon if I need to, without thinking or worrying about what I am not doing.  Dinner with friends, more time to study and read God's Word....I could go on and on, but I am sure you get my point.  I think the Lord knew just what He was doing when He created seasons.  Not only in our weather, but in our lives.  This season in my life could take a shift or change at any moment.  Illness, accidents, financial troubles etc. could come at any time and change everything as I know it.  Maybe He will have some specific plan for me that will require work, time, and effort.  I am certainly open for that should the occasion arise.   But for now, I am grateful for THIS season in my life.

Ecc: 3: 1-8

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 times 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 silent, And a time to speak;

A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war and a time of peace.