I have always loved the verses of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, and throughout October and November I say them daily. The beautiful words are attributed to Solomon, which isn't surprising since, according to the Bible, God granted him abundant wisdom. Not Wisdum. Wisdom. (Sorry, couldn't resist that one.)
Here is the full text. Try not to sing "turn, turn, turn" after each line. It's challenging.
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:A time to be born, and
a time to die;
a time to plant, and
a time to pluck up
that which is planted;A time to kill, and
a time to heal;
a time to break down, and
a time to build up;A time to weep, and
a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and
a time to dance;A time to cast away stones, and
a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and
a time to refrain from embracing;A time to get, and
a time to lose;
a time to keep, and
a time to cast away;A time to rend, and
a time to sow;
a time to keep silence, and
a time to speak;A time to love, and
a time to hate;
a time of war; and
a time of peace.
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Thank you for reminding me of these verses. They will help in my counseling for a lady in our Church.
this is and always has been one of my favorite Bible-related poems----it has so very much truth in it and is a good guide for anyone!!!
RE - Suanne Ackerman | November 1, 2007 1:01 PM
He is homeless, jobless and lacks wisdom to prepare for his future years.
** We ALL lack wisdom ! The only thing that wisdom is, is the passing on of experience of all the crap in your Life, so it may help another (especially your progeny !) By the Way there is a Whole lot of Wisdom in the Bible, but most of us never go there for it, until we are scraping the bottom of the barrel !
yet he refuses to listen and apply what I tell him.
** This is more of “Strong Willed Child Syndrome” . . . I want to make my own dam mistakes, If you are so smart, you wouldn’t have made any yourself !
I have attempted to help him get a leg up by providing a place for him to live while he furthers his education.
** The only thing you can give a strong willed child is Uncompromising, Unconditional Love (no matter what !) enabling does not count as Love (especially in their book, to them, you are stupid, and they would be also, not to take advantage of it !)
he did not trust me and thought I had some ulterior motive
** The ulterior motive is “Control Issues”. This is all about leaving the nest, and empty nest syndrome
I certainly don't want him living with me for the rest of my life!
** Now that’s what is called Mother Nature Syndrome, like, “Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your Way out !”
It all falls on deaf ears.
** Typical symptoms !
I am beginning to feel jealous of people who are so close to their children.
** Don’t be fooled, they are ALL going through the same problem . . the Bible refers to it as “Tribulation” ... Hey,what the hell, we ALL got Armegeddon to look forward too !
Che sera, sera ! (or something like that !)
LUV 2 U / LUV 2 ALL
Wisdum
just another sojourner along this
Road Called Love
If this brings you any solace, know that I went through similar "tribulation with my son. throughout his teen years, e was very angry and since it was only the two of us after his father died and his stepfather left us to be with another woman (both within a six-month period, I bore the brunt of his anger. I could do NOTHING right.He dropped out of junior college even though I had to scrape to pull together the funds for his tuition. but guess WHAT? nOW AR TWENTY-NINE, WE ARE GOOD FRIENDS! He has apologized several times for the things he put us through, and even though I can, he can't look back on that period with a chucle; he's mortified when he realizes how ungrateful, disrespectful and selfish he was! Bur guess WHAT? we are now close to the point that many of his friends envy the relationship we now have. He hholds down a good job, supports himself and even contributes to my monthly expenses now that I'm on retirement/disability. Although geographically we're nearly fifty miles apart, very few days go by without him calling to check on his old Mom! There IS hope...we're living proof! It's absolutely amazing what a little time and a few kicks in the teeth ny life can accomplish! If you give it some time and lots of prayer WITHOUT GIVING UP, your situarion might turn out with a similar happy ending. I too will be including you in my conversarions with God.
Suanne:
Everything you said about your son could be said of me -- if you choose to put all the facts of my life in the worst possible light.
I choose not to.
Now, you may not have shared important details of your son's life that may make it a very different situation. But from what you said, IMHO, unless your son has threatened you or otherwise cut himself completely and permanently off from you in some way, I would say it is important to remain optimistic -- for his sake, but also for your own.
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