a time for everything

The hands on the clock weren’t stopping. Not even pausing so I could break the surface for a moment of relief.

The demands rolled in, one after the other.

And as I looked at my day, my calendar, my season of life – the wiggle room was absent.

The only blocks of white space were reserved for rest and time with my husband, and I wasn’t willing to give either up. Because a body needs sleep, and the man who holds my heart is deserving of my full attention.

So what would give? Where would the extra time appear? Where could I fit more into my 24-hour day without adversely affecting the things God had currently entrusted to me?

“There is a time for everything…” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a time to stay awake during the middle of the night with crying babies… and there is a time to wake up late sleepers on a slow Saturday morning.

There is a time to build a career and devote all your attention outside of your home… and there is a time to pour your best efforts and energy into the hearts around your table.

There is a time to enjoy freedom to live and do and go wherever you please… and there is a time to chauffer little people about and color code your calendar with the activities of others.

There is a time to learn and grow… and there is a time to pour out and serve.

There is a time to personally achieve success… and a time to cheer others on.

There is a time to move forward… and a time to wait.

There is a time for everything – and it’s not all at the same time.

So let us not despise where God has positioned us right now.

If it’s difficult, if it’s slow, if it’s uncomfortable, if it’s challenging – praise God and allow Him to refine you as you patiently endure. Because it will change.

And if it’s sweet, and joy-filled, and fun, and thrilling - praise God and soak up every ounce. Because it will change.

This moment, like them all, has been given to you by God, and we can trust He has made everything - both your timeline and mine - beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)