To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Constant change—Two words that describe our home in a nutshell over the past few months and years.
Our one-year-old foster daughter is speeding through the seasons of infancy and toddlerhood. Wasn’t it just a few days ago that she could barely roll over and then sit up on her own? And how is she already walking when I thought she barely learned how to crawl yesterday?
Seasons of life have a way of reminding us of its brevity.
This past week, our family enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with our “3-month married” son and daughter-in-law in their new home out of state.
Along with our two teenage boys (17 and 14), we picked up our 20-year-old daughter at the airport who flew in from college for the occasion.
Wasn’t it just yesterday that I was trying to wrestle these four kids to the floor and hold them all down at the same time?
“Change with the seasons of life. Don’t try to stretch a season into a lifetime.”
Seasons Change…
And life must change with it. But know, that’s a good thing. God has put the people into your life for seasons.
In recent weeks, multiple people close to our family have gone to heaven. Their brief season of life ended, reminding us yet again that life is but a vapor (James 4:14).
A few things come to mind:
- Seasons are temporary. Not only are they short-lived in the here and now, but they are made for this life only. There will be no seasons in heaven… just eternity forever.
- Seasons are purposeful. Solomon reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that every season has a reason. Never forfeit a season’s purpose just because you don’t like it or may want it to be in your past.
- Seasons are consequential. Every season is a weighty opportunity to impact and invest in a specific gift of time you’ll never get back. Seasons were made for making a difference while you still can. We knew we had 18 years with our own children. We don’t know how long we have with our foster child. Yet we love them, while we have them.
Love the People That God Gives You…
All of this reminded me in recent weeks to “Love the People That God Gives You.” I’ve listened to a song by this title multiple times recently, and it’s been a good reminder to recognize more than ever before God’s gifts of people and time in my life.
“Love the people that God gives you,
They’re a gift that heaven sent.
Live and laugh and make some memories,
Treasure every moment spent.
‘Cause none of us are here forever,
That’s a proven fact.
Love the people that God gives you,
‘Cause one day He’ll want them back.”
(You can listen to the song here)
Whatever seasons you’re in right now with the people God has given you, make the most of them while they last.
Be present. Be intentional. Be godly.
Resolve to live, and learn to love, every purposeful season in your life right now. One day, you’ll be glad you did. Never forget…
“The most important things in life aren’t things.”
Love the people that God gives you.
