Seasons of life

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

This verse has been making its way through my mind the past couple of days. It is interesting that the Autumn season is winding down as God has been showing me changes of seasons in my own life.

I have to admit at times to being like Eve. I could live in Perfection and still wonder if there isn't "something better"...out there. For me lately, I have desperately missed having both my children in my life regularly (not to mention grandchildren). I think Autumn and the upcoming Holidays especially showcase vacuum areas in our life. You notice the empty chair at the dinner table during this time; whether the chair belonged to a loved one gone on to be with the Lord, a loved one living in another part of the country or perhaps...a much desired child yet to be born. I have had all three over the years.

Living with three preschoolers in the house has reminded me of the seasons of our lives. With little ones around, it is not as easy to ponder what one wants to write on their blog. (These ponderings came about while waiting for my son at the library.) Preschoolers in the house make for constant cleaning, or, as this Grammie has done...I'll clean when they leave. You have to watch preschoolers carefully so they don't eat the kittie's kibble. Everything breakable has been placed at new heights. I'll be finding objects in the most unusual places for the next few weeks, having been tucked away in the closest hiding place. It has been a very different world than I'm used to lately.

Of course, there are also more giggles and hugs than I've had since the last time they visited. My daughter and I have enjoyed visiting our favorite restaurants and thrift shops. She cooked a delicious dinner and set the dining table with Grandmother's china and beautiful candles just as she would when she lived at home before marriage. Of course, this time, it was her son blowing out the candles instead of her brother. I visited the playground at the park for the first time in...hmmm...since the last time they visited when it was warm? I've watched Mr. Rogers DVDs and Noggin on the TV. I remember now how much laundry there is when there are small children around. Does the term...mountain...sound familiar.

God has been gently reminding me I'm where He wants me now. To wish for that which was in the past is telling Him the present grace is not enough. To long for what is not in my life is to say He has not provided all He has promised. Today is the gift He has given and to spend time longing for that which is not there is not unlike complaining that Autumn will soon be ending and the cold of Winter is just around the corner. The seasons of our life must change just as the seasons of nature change. It is in those changes that Life continues as planned before the Creation of the world. We can be content in the knowledge that He is in control of all seasons, ours and the world around us.