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 weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
Ecclesiastes 3: selected verses (good to read it all)
For now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come,
And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12
As you already know if you have read many of these Daily Encouragements, Rick and I have one grandson who lives in Massachusetts, is in first grade, and is the sunshine of our lives. Week before last was his Winter Break. This is a time when Grammy (me) usually travels north to help out. However this year, besides not wanting to fly up there (also having a new temporary job), I find that they did not need me there since their little School Pod of three children has a nanny-type person to care for them on days they are not in school. I sighed.
“Well,” Rick said to Beloved Grandchild on our almost nightly FaceTime call, “when you come to North Carolina this summer, we will work on golf and tennis together.” “Oh,” replied the child, “I think I will spend the summer with my cousin, Kian, in Michigan.” Another sigh. Every summer since he has been born, Grammy (me) has spent a large part of the summer with him. I thought of the scripture from Ecclesiastes about there being a time for everything. Perhaps this is the time for him to share some time with his other grandparents. (His parents, of course knew nothing of this plan, so I still hold out some hope of seeing him).
Yesterday as I was out walking through my neighborhood, I realized that I was not wearing a coat and yet was not cold. It was not raining. I looked up and saw a clear blue sky and a big yellow sun. Yellow daffodils and jonquils are scattered about yards and trees are beginning to sprout lovely pink blossoms. And I thought about the passage from the Song of Solomon. It looks like the winter may be about past. Robins are everywhere, singing. There is news from the Covid 19 experts that sounds very promising. Maybe the time to refrain from embracing is almost over, and we can greet one another with hugs and handshakes.
We Christians are unique in that we worship a God who was crucified and was, to quote The Wizard of Oz concerning the Wicked Witch of the West, “really most sincerely dead.” And yet, this God did not stay dead. He rose from the dead to eternal life and promises to give that same sort of eternal life to us. In Lent, we know the rest of the story. And that is surely something to look forward to!
It looks to me like a time of joy is on the way! We may be in the penitential season of Lent, but deep in our penitent hearts, we Christians know that Easter is coming! It is almost time for joy to arrive!
This Is My Father’s World
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!
Pastor Rachel Moser
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