There is a Time For Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8English Standard Version (ESV)

A Time for Everything

3 For 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 verse came to mind today as I reflected on the past week. Certainly a season for everything as we saw the birth of a church member's daughter, passing of a friend's 17 year friendship and companionship, a fall planting season is upon us who live in warmer climates, the harvesting of fall crops in the Northern states(corn, soy beans, corn, pumpkins, etc,) the time to kill past disagreements and heal the bridge in broken relationships, a time to break down barriers and build up newer and stronger relationships, a time weep over those who are lost to the Lord, and time rejoice in laughter in the knowledge of those who have come to the Lord, a time to mourn those who passed away and did not know the Lord and a time to dance before the Lord in joy for those who are new to His love, a time to cast away the stones of unforgiveness and a  time to gather together in brotherly love, a time to embrace the truth and a time to refrain from embracing hateful gossip,  a time to go quietly to your private place and seek the word of God, and a time to lose our habit of  "forgetting" to  pray, a time to tear down the arrows of the evil one directed at us and a time to sew (mend) fences, especially instill in us a time to remain silent and give us courage to speak up for Christianity, a time to love as Jesus loves us, and a time to hate evil, and in these turbulent times, a time for war and a time for peace. God gives us these verses to remind us that indeed there is a time for everything - don't get ahead of God - "Be still and wait for the Lord, wait for Him and patiently lean upon Him". Psalm 37:7

 

Some pretty deep thoughts this week as we, too are going through turbulent times. So very many decisions depends on the path that God has laid out for us - from personal decisions,  to outreach ministry decisions, to spiritual decisions.

 

Otherwise, life in the Valley is pretty calm so far although the promise of the  influx of Winter Texans is now more than a promise. As we went to the local hardware store, we noticed several "Americanos" with out of state license plates purchasing items for their winter homes here in S. Texas - items to replace or spruce their home away from home. All of the business people are patiently waiting for the increased sales, from hardware stores, to furniture stores, to the many hundreds (over 400 in McAllen alone) of eating places. Eating out seems to be the greatest pastime of all!!!!!!  There are long wait times at the many popular restaurants in the area. The very best decisions are to go to a local place to eat - a mom and pop restaurant which serves delicious food at a reasonable rate. Avoid the crowds, noise, and higher prices. 

 

Everyone have a wonderful week as we celebrate the beauty and wonderment of the fall season and prepare for a time of Thanksgiving. Why not write down on a slip of paper each day anything that you are thankful for. Then when you are feeling low, pull out a slip of paper, read it, and rejoice in the provision of the Lord.