He Has Made Everything Beautiful in its Time

As I sit here, cuddled up with a hot cup of coffee, listening to the whirling of the ceiling fan, it never ceases to amaze me that the days go by and the world continues to turn regardless of our circumstances or feelings. Truth be told, it does this whether or not we are having a good day or a bad day. It goes on even if we are not ready. Even if we wish we could hold on to this moment or season for one more day, it disappears.

Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:

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.

Just as the seasons of this world changes so do the seasons of our lives. If we’re not careful we’ll forget these moments that take our breath away. Or the moments that made us smile and brought tears to our eyes. We’ll forget that feeling we had on the first day of spring. Or the time we finally did something we always thought was just a dream. We’ll forget how God used one of the most difficult situations to bring us closer to Him. If we’re not careful, we won’t see the blessings that God has given us. We’ll be too concerned with what we do not have.

We only have one chance to relish this moment right now. One. Then, it is gone.

So today why not reminisce and wallow in God’s mercies and blessings? For us wives, why not look at the way your husband’s shirt fits him just so? Or for mothers, the way your child’s smile slants just a little to the left? Or the blue bird that you never noticed frequenting your front porch every day? Why not take a moment to look around with fresh eyes?

Don’t let it end with just this moment. Watch the sunset tonight. Look up at the stars. Listen for a the owl hooting in the night. Snuggle your kids just a moment longer. Kiss your husband as if it were the first time. Enjoy this season you are in.

I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time … I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil — this is God’s gift to man.
~Ecclesiastes 3:10-11a, 12-13

Are you enjoying the season you are in? What is one thing you noticed just now that you have never noticed before? What ways do you see God at work in your life? In the lives of those around you? I would love to hear from you!