Thursday, January 19, 2012

AN OLD POST, AND SOME NEW THOUGHTS


Ecc. 33:1  To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.


This is one of those verses that for me is so packed full of profound truth, it is hard sometimes to really get my head around the simplicity of it at the same time. As I have moved through the various seasons in my life, I have found myself both looking ahead to what is still (God willing) to come, and the ones I have left far behind. But one thing ALWAYS remains the same.


Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

God moves on an eternal time table that is not always readily evident to His people. He works within seasons, and time frames for His own purposes.

Proverbs 19:21  Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." 

It is right and good to plan. It is necessary for it gives direction and allows us to set priorities. However, yielding some time on our agendas and in our hearts for the purpose of God to prevail just makes sense if we want to live our lives as He would have us. This may mean we may have to re-adjust from time to time. But that's OK...In whatever season in life we find ourselves in, we should move forward and plan, and yet yield to the will of God and His purposes, and we will do it all in the power of the Holy Spirit...

I originally wrote this following post a couple of years ago.  Back when I first started blogging and I am not sure if I had any readers at all, haha.  I was reading back through my blog books this morning when my mom was trying to remember when something happened and I came across this post and I thought it might be worth posting again.


I have been going over to Greenbelt Park recently on the days that Nina comes, and getting out and sitting on the picnic tables there and working on my Bible Study. The day started out kind of foggy and cold, so I was concerned I wouldn't want to sit out there today.   But it wasn't long when the sun burned it's way through, and it was a beautiful 72 degrees.  There was a slight breeze blowing,  just enough to ruffle the leaves on the nearby trees. I sat there working for about an hour and half without another person in sight. I enjoyed the solitude which seemed strange somehow, as I was outside and in a public place. Just as I was finishing up, I noticed a mom and her young daughter making their way toward the play ground. The mom couldn't have been more than at the most 25, and the daughter was probably close to 3 or so. It was a toss up who seemed more excited to be heading towards the equipment. I watched as the young mom put her little one in a swing and began pushing her, and the little girl squealed with obvious delight ~ simple pleasure, free to anyone who chose to use the park. A few minutes later, a little old man so hobbled and bent it was a wonder he was maneuvering his frail body down the side walk at all, made his way to the bench sitting by the sand, and took up his post watching the small child on the swing. He laughed aloud at her undisguised enjoyment. I was struck with how life changes from one stage to another as quickly as the weather it seems. One minute your the young child in the swing completely dependent upon your mother for all your most basic needs, and the next you find yourself the young mother herself caring for her family.  A couple of blinks later and your me sitting on a bench in the park wondering how I could have possibly reached this stage in my life so quickly.  And finally the little old man hobbled and shuffling in what is surely his last little while here on this earth. Time races by and things inevitably change. My eyes wondered and I noticed the softball fields off in the distance. How many times did I come to this park, and sit in those stands and watch Melody play a game of softball?! Too many times to count that's for sure. How I enjoyed watching her play. I closed my eyes and could hear the girls chanting their little cheers, and the sound of the balls hitting their gloves as they warmed up for a game. I could even smell the nachos in the snack bar and feel the excitement I always felt as a game was about to start. Those days have come and gone, and today I miss them. I miss her. I miss being the young mom with a large family to go home and prepare a big dinner for. But I was struck with something else today that I don't usually think of when I am in a nostalgic mood. There is going to come a time in my life (hopefully) when I am the old man sitting on the bench and will remember what it was like to be the Grandma with all the young grand kids and kids still in their early 20's and 30's. Still living in the house they all grew up in and wondering if we will ever afford to retire. Yes, life goes quickly I have found, but I am no longer in a hurry, and I intend to enjoy this stage in my life and savor it for all it's benefits and pleasures. Because no doubt the time will come when it will all change and other's will find themselves standing in my shoes, and I will be the little old lady hobbling along (I kind of hobble now haha) waiting for the Lord to call me home....


Yes, "seasons in our life" come and go and we all find ourselves on that roller coaster ride called life. Sometimes we are going up and the climb seems non-ending and overwhelming, other times we have reached the mountain tops and the view from the top is exhilarating and majestic, other times we find ourselves plummeting downward at a breath taking speed, our hearts and minds busy with just the hanging on. But I find my comfort in knowing that Jesus is always there, always the same, never moving, my rock.

Psalm 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.


I found it interesting how things have changed for me in just a couple of years.  We are no longer living in that house and we have found ourselves a little closer to that retirement.  I no longer find myself longing for the days when my kids were all at home and I was a busy mom.  I no longer dwell on the fact that Melody has moved away and started her own life, not that I don't still miss her of course, but in a different way.  I am so much more content with my life as it is now WITHOUT my kids living with me.  It does have it's perks, haha. But some things just never change.  Life moves on....seasons come and go, and change is inevitable.  But God is ever faithful and eventually we settle into our here and now.  Hope you all have a wonderful week-end.

I am linking up today with Spiritual Sundays, join in and be blessed by all the wonderful posts!

11 comments:

  1. That was beautiful! I have finally discovered slowing down and enjoying every moment. I feel that I rushed so many years away to do what? Nothing. There was no need to rush! So now I have slowed down and enjoy everything. The other day my hubby and I were out and he discovered he left his wallet at home. We were a few miles from home so he started to apologize that we had to turn around to go home to get his wallet and he knew that it might make us late for our plans. I looked at him and said, "I don't care if we're late. I'm not getting upset about things like that anymore. I'm enjoying everything in our life even having to turn around and go home to pick something up." I really wish I did this sooner! Great post! Thanks for the reminder to enjoy life and that one day we'll have happy memories to look back upon. I hope you have a great weekend! Oh, and I make my zucchini like that also sometimes. BUT, I've never put garlic on them. You said you use some garlic seasoning. Is it something other than just garlic powder? Thanks!

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  2. What a profound post. I, too, have reached the point where I want to enjoy each day to its fullest. I used to be so focused on what was coming "tomorrow" that I'd miss out on the pleasures of "today" ... not any more. I wish I had learned this valuable lesson much earlier.

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  3. Great post, thanks for sharing it again as I certainly missed it the first go around.

    I will be 60 this year and I find myself pondering the past years, looking head and experiencing every emotion possible. But, I'm grateful to still be enjoying life and good health and so thankful that He holds my future and with that, it will all be okay.

    Happy weekend!

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  4. Thanks Debbie-I think I needed this post today.

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  5. Yes, you've told the story so well and captured so many of the feelings. I'm glad that you revisited this post and added to it because one thing is certain...a stilled life is a stagnant one...I'm glad that the Lord is always moving us forward.

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  6. Debbie, I can't tell you enough of how much this post has ministered to me this morning, I could have written it,as I was reading of all you memories, my mind was brought back to mine, and needless to say a tear fell. Susan even called while i was reading and we were able to share a few minutes of memories. My dear Friend, I know exactly the feeling of not having your daughter (best fried) near by.
    Blessings to you today, and thank you for sharing a well written heartfelt,and loving post! I am blessed.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  7. Beautifully said my friend! One chapter after another, and suddenly we find ourselves cresting 'the hil' and even moving down the other side. Life is fast, and the older we get, the quicker it goes! One more of those things my parent used to say and now I am saying the exact same words! :)

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  8. Oh let me dry my tears...and stop nodding my head. This was just a balm to my soul and I so enjoyed reading your words as you wrote what we all go through...I am not completely on the side you are on, but not far from it...and yet I feel all these feelings also.

    Hugs...so enjoyed.

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  9. I haven't made it by to visit in a while (Wow, having 4 kids is BUSY -- HOW did you do it?!!!) and I just had to scroll down and see some pics of your newest grandbaby and oh, he is so adorable!! I love the picture of him in the overalls, reminds me of when my boys were bebabies -- I LOVED to dress them in overalls!! So true your post on seasons! Blessings Sweet Debbie!

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  10. Hi dear Debbie, I loved reading this post and I agree with you about the seasons of life coming quickly. The wonderful thing I've found is that I relax so much more now than I did when I was younger-I think things in stride and don't worry. I always was so worried about how the kids would turn out etc. As a young mom, we tend to stress about so much.
    Life is too short for that.
    Hugs & much love today. Noreen

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  11. Thank you Debbie for sharing! So true and I love it. We must enjoy every season of our life. They go by so fast.

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!