Seasons of Change
Life has a way of marching forward and there are seasons of growth and change and seasons of prioritizing what we invest our time in. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (ESV) sums it up rather eloquently:
“1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.”
This past summer, my husband and I prioritized the time to invest in our relationship and intentionally set aside time to learn things together that would make an overall impact in our health and wellbeing for years to come.
The fall held great times of rejoicing for my family. I gained a brother-in-law in September when my baby sister got married. I gained a sister-in-law when my next-to-youngest brother got married in early October. After the wedding festivities were over, we were able to share the exciting news with our families that we were expecting a baby!
Next came the season of horrible morning sickness … rather, 24-7 sickness. I felt miserable all the time, but kept reminding myself it would be worth it in the end. Thankfully, the nausea and vomiting went away for the most part once I was in the second trimester.
During the holiday season, my husband and I both had time off of work, so we made it a priority to go out and do memorable things together, and also take time to just rest and relax. We’ve been working on finally getting the front room finished. We found a very comfortable loveseat that was marked down to a ridiculously cheap price due to a tear in the fabric on the arm of the sofa. Being somewhat handy with a needle, I figured I could fix that, which I did. We replaced the blinds that the cats had broken, hung curtains, found a table lamp, and scored a solid wood toy chest from the thrift store that I’m going to paint. We still need to install a ceiling light, find a rocker, rug, and credenza, but I’m excited that our front room will hopefully look like “home” before the baby comes. We celebrated my birthday early by watching an hour long glass blowing demonstration, eating lunch at a gourmet grilled cheese restaurant, and shopping at my favorite jewelry store.
The New Year came in quietly, but within days, it had changed to a season where I had to remind myself to keep a perspective of gratitude. On my birthday, I got a call from my mom telling me that my dad had suffered an injury at work and was in the hospital. While unloading a box truck, his foot slipped between the end of the truck and the metal loader. His leg fell through up to his knee, he fell backwards, and the resulting torque and force of the fall broke his leg, crushing part of his tibia. Thankfully, it was not a compound fracture. He had surgery a couple of days later to install a plate and screws and he is not allowed to put any weight on it for the next three months. Despite the swelling, bruising, and broken bone, his accident could have been so much worse. I’m very thankful my brother was on the job with him and turned around in time to see my dad stuck and hanging upside down off the back of the truck. His quick action got my dad up and into a better position so that they could call an ambulance. Even though my dad is essentially couch bound for a bit, this season of healing also gives him the time to finish editing his second novel for publication.
Perhaps the hardest bit of news to struggle with, however, was the same day my dad fell, we received word that a dear friend of ours had fallen off of a ladder out of a tree the previous day, resulting in a broken leg and brain injury. Our friend slipped into a coma several hours after his fall. For nearly two weeks, we prayed for a miracle and doctors performed test after test to see why our friend was remaining unresponsive. As we continued praying, I reminded myself that no matter what happened, our friend would still win: he’d either wake up here, miraculously healed, or he’d wake up and be with Jesus. MRI results eventually revealed a severe brain injury that short of a miracle, had little hope of recovery. Our friend’s family made the incredibly loving and courageous decision to make him as comfortable as possible in what would most likely be his last moments on this earth. Our friend went to be with Jesus this past Friday evening. As tragic and shocking as this event has been in our community, I am so grateful that we are not without hope. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, I know we will see our friend again. I smile knowing he is dancing with all the saints and loved ones we have said our (temporary) goodbyes to over the years. Our friend was a gregarious, down-to-earth, incredibly loving person. Never once do I recall him complaining (he was a multiple time cancer survivor), but always gave thanks to the Lord in every circumstance. What a legacy to leave behind! I can see him in heaven now with a crowd of children around him, telling them jokes and leading them in praises to our King. As we enter this season of mourning, I am encouraged by these words:
“13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thess. 4:13-18, ESV).
Seasons of life come and go, but through them we must find a perspective of gratitude and continue to look forward with the hope that lies within us.
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Loving words! Thank you for your heart!