Adjusting to the Seasons

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die…”

 

While it may not be pleasant to think about, our days are numbered. According to the CDC, the average life span of a person in the United States is 77.3 years. With the span of life that God gives to each of us, God’s Word reminds us that there is a time for everything and a season for every activity.

As I reflected on the season of life that God has placed me in, I thought about my season and time left in being a parent. For my oldest child, Hannah, I have 5 ½ years with her before she graduates from high school and leaves home. That may sound like a lot of time, but the reality is that weekdays are extremely busy, filled with things like school, homework, sports, club activities, music lessons, chores, and church activities… And that’s just her schedule.

Given that weekdays are so busy, I’m left with 286 weekends. But many of those are filled and will be filled with birthday parties, hanging out with friends, competitions, internships, and community service. I think I’ll be lucky to have half of those weekends free. In other words, at best, I have 143 free weekends with my daughter before she leaves home and every week that passes by is one less weekend to grow and strengthen our relationship. This sobering reality makes me want to be more intentional with my children and especially with my free weekends with them.

God has placed each of us in a particular season of life. Take a moment and consider the season of life that you are in, the relationships that He has graciously given to you, and the time that you really have with them. Let’s wisely adjust our plans and activities with the season of life that God has placed us in.

 

Mike