As Seasons Change, So Must We

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

A few days ago Joann and I went out for dinner to a local restaurant.  We had been given a gift card and were looking forward to having a steak that evening.  To our disappointment  the dining establishment was very crowded so we would  have to wait for a table.

The main reason for the crowd seemed to be that a local High School was having their Home Coming dance that evening.  We observed several teenagers all dressed up.  Many of the girls were walking carefully  in high heeled shoes that they had most likely never worn before.  The young men wearing ties for first time in their lives, or at least not for a very long time and looked like their eyes would bug out.  Joann and I thought back to the days of our Home Comings many years ago and wondered if we looked as uncomfortable as they did.  No doubt we were just as awkward as the teens we were dining with that night.

Seated across from us in the waiting area was a young couple and their two year old daughter.  Their little bundle of energy was becoming very impatient with the fact that she had to wait before she was going to be able to eat.  She made sure that everyone was aware of her presence and that she was not happy with the delay.  We thought back to the days when our children were that age, and the challenge of taking them out to a restaurant for a meal.  We stuck mainly to fast food or places that could entertain them.

There was a group of people that appeared to be in their late 40s or early 50s there also. They were getting ready to celebrate one of their birthdays.  They all seemed to be close friends or family and were enjoying each others company.  In my mind I could identify most with this group.  After all, they were all older, but not that old.

In the near distance there was a group of elderly people.  Maybe 6 or 8 people, lots of gray hair and wrinkles, there wasn’t much of a spring in their step.  They sat and talked and seemed to be having a good time…Then it hit me!!!  I may be able to identify with the group of “40 or 50 somethings” but I look more like the silver haired (or bald headed) group that shuffled in!!!  Man, what a revelation!!  I feel a lot younger than I look.

I’ve spent a lot of time pondering the restaurant encounter over the past few days.  Many different seasons of life were represented that evening in the waiting area.  From teenagers with most of life’s experiences ahead of them, to a group of people with most of life in the rear view mirror.  However, each enjoying their season of life.

The passage of Scripture I quoted at the beginning of this post applies to all time periods of life.  We all go through different seasons, teen years, married with children, empty nest, our “Golden” years.  Each season has it’s own set of challenges and joys.

The Bible also says, that each season has a purpose.  God has a purpose for each and everyone of us.  It doesn’t matter what season of life we are in.  the Lord wants to use us in the work He wants to accomplish.  He is not just working ON us, but He wants to work THROUGH us to reach those in our sphere of influence.

Friend, enjoy the season you are in.  Don’t waste time wishing your circumstances were different.  Allow God to use you where we are right now.  I know there are a lot of things that I can’t do today that I could do in my 40s, but I also know, that I can do some things today that a 40 year old can’t do.  As our seasons of life change, may God help us to enjoy each one, and change with them.