I’m not much of a bible thumper – or reader for that matter, but I attended two funerals in the past month. I heard this bible verse at one of them:
There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak up. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastics 3:1-8 NLT)
The pastor at my boss’ wife’s funeral repeated this line several times (the other funeral was for my trainer’s father): “Ready or not, death will come.” We know that – but we don’t ponder death much unless we lose someone we know, or illness falls upon us or a love one, or we hear of a freak accident, etc. Outside of that, we tend to think we have time.
I offer no flowery anecdotes about the knowns (inevitable death) or the unknowns (circumstances – what, when, how, etc.), but I will say that in this moment – in this season, regardless of whatever challenges we face, we can appreciate opportunities to–
Celebrate birth.
Plant fruitful seeds.
Heal and rebuild.
Laugh, dance, and scatter stones.
Embrace the journey.
Love.
Be still.
Find peace.
Categories: Inspiration, NaBloPoMo, Random
My Female Persuasion 
Both of my parents passed away at relatively young ages: Mom was fifty-six and Dad was fifty-eight. Prior to their passing, I lived life on the edge, never giving thought to what happens if tomorrow never comes. I was carefree, did my own thing (and did it big, too … every time), and took for granted all the little things. The important things, really.
They’ve both been gone for quite some time now. Mom left in ’96 and Dad in ’00. Given that I’m an only child, I had no siblings to turn to or lean on. It was just me … and the few family members I had left that I could stand to be around. I was always the proverbial black sheep of the family; different because I chose a white-collar profession instead of working with my hands, different because I chose education over working myself to death in a petroleum refinery, different because I grew up in a different environment – had exposure to other cultures – than they all did. I was the outcast. LOL.
After Mom passed away, I began to wake up. I began to see the small things. A few years later when Dad died, I truly began to see what life REALLY is about:
Appreciating the small things; the things we all too often ignore. I began to spend more time with my close friends. The few remaining family members I spoke about previously drifted away and became more like shadows of a different life and time.
I grew up. Now that so much time has passed, I can clearly just how important – and how short – life is.
Carpe Diem. (Seize the day.)
Live life out loud. Love hard, love strong, love wholly and completely. Smile. Treat others in a manner as you’d have them treat you.
Yeah … to everything there IS a season. =)
Sorry for the length of the post, but this blog entry? This is pure gold. =)
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Wow, thank you for sharing your story and such an inspirational message. To come away from such loss with a greater appreciation for life and the little things, and greater perspective, just shows how resilient you are. I’m gonna keep referring to your message going forward. Thank you.
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I’m glad to have read this, it’s a good reminder. It’s unreal how we tend not to think of such things until they’re thrust upon us and we have no other choice.
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So true. Thanks for stopping by pretty lady! Looking fwd to reading about your wedding planning. 😉
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I too am not much of a bible reader. I tend to follow more Buddhism and Hinduism, but I’ve always been attracted to this passage. It is really so true. I love your spin on live and die. Thank you for following my blog! I look forward to reading through more of your work. “Be still. Find Peace.” Words I will take into what appears to be a challenging week ahead…
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Thank you! Coincidentally, I’m not much of a bible reader either, but the passage resonated with me. Good stuff on your blog. Thanks for following.
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Likewise. Thanks! Was especially drawn to your inspiration section.
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