What season is it?

Say, what season is it?

Looking at Ecclesiastes 3:

For everything there is a season, a time 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 build up.

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 quit searching. 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.

A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes was supposedly written by King Solomon, who was supposedly the wisest person ever.  After his father, King David died, God visited Solomon and asked what he wanted - money, fame, conquests - and Solomon asked for wisdom.  

Wikipedia defines wisdom as: “Wisdom, sapience, or sagacity is the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight. Wisdom is associated with attributes such as unbiased judgment, compassion, experiential self-knowledge, self-transcendence and non-attachment, and virtues such as ethics and benevolence.”

So, here in Chapter 3 in the book of Ecclesiastes - we see the message about seasons.  Not just spring, summer, fall and winter - but seasons of various natures - and almost always in this statement, seasons of opposites.  A season to love and hate; a season to plant and reap. 

For me, at the start of this new year, I am trying to discern my season.  In some respects, I might be the season of “fall” or “autumn”.  From Frank Sinatra - “It was a very good year”

But now the days are short

I'm in the autumn of the year

And now I think of my life as vintage wine

From fine old kegs

From the brim to the dregs

And it poured sweet and clear

It was a very good year.

While at times, I am young and at times (rare) that I am mature (I am still finding my way), I guess in terms of age, “I’m in the autumn of the year”.  

But, I still want a season to plant (ideas), heal (relationships), laugh and dance (from Ecclesiastes 3).  I want a season to love (not hate), to promote peace (not war), and a season to build up and mend (not tear down).  

But, I also know that there are the opposite seasons.  I need to reap, to cry and grieve.  I’m not sure I want war, but if you have never known war, you really can’t appreciate peace.  I don’t want to hate, but because I have known hate, that I can appreciate love and forgiveness. 

So, how do I do that?  I need to continue on my journey.  I need to foster love, to smile.  

How can I help you my friends who read this?  How can I support you?  And, how can you help me as I grow and change?

Hugs!!

Karen