The inspiration from "Tuesday's Time To" is this passage from one of my very favourite chapters in all the whole Bible ...
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens".
(Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3, Verse 1).
I've taken some of the themes from this chapter, and used them as a framework for contemplation.
A time to plant ...
Well, at this time of year here in England, it definitely ISN'T a time to plant anything outside! In fact as I write, it is bitterly cold and we have the first snow of the winter forecast. But it is always a time to plant desires in hearts. I have just finished the 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, and tomorrow I shall commence a new challenge. I hope that this coming month will be a time for planting a desire for humility, gratitude and contenment, and that this will be an inspiration to those around me, who will benefit from my changed heart!
A time to heal ...
I hope so much that all my loved ones who have been sick recently, are healing well. Sometimes a kind word, is a healing balm just as much as a medication can be. I try to heal with kind words wherever I can!
A time to laugh ...
Papa Bear is always making me laugh! Today he said to me when we woke up, "I am asleep, Mama Bear. My eyes are open, but I am asleep"! I knew what he meant!
A time to embrace ..
I am embracing change, every day, but particularly so this year, as I hope to embrace a change in my heart to help me grow more as God's daughter and as my husband's help meet.
A time to keep ...
I am keeping on keeping on! My life is very busy with lots of commitments. Sometimes it is hard to keep a joyful heart. That's when I need to sing my favourite praise songs! It does help, and so does offering up my burdens to my Saviour. I also keep close to me, the words of comfort that I find in my Bible. Today's reading in Matthew, Chapter 21, Verse 22 - "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive". What a wonderful promise to keep close to your heart!
A time to sew ...
I am so grateful to my own mother, Grandmama Bear, for (among many other practical homekeeping skills) teaching me how to sew. I was so surprised (and so was my teacher) when I went to school aged 11 and found that no one else in my class, knew how to thread a sewing machine. I have been making my own clothes for decades, although it is very definitely NOT cheaper than buying them ready made, but recently I have not made anything. I hope to change that soon, and will start by designing some of my own dress patterns (not as difficult as it sounds).
A time to speak ...
The 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, has taught me that as well as there being times when it is good to speak, there are many times when it is just as good to remain silent! I have resolved to try not to chatter and gossip so much. That is definitely not a character trait I want to cultivate. I need to learn to hold my tongue and to "shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness" (II Timothy, Chapter 2, Verses 16 - 17), because "even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell". (James, Chapter 3, Verses 5 - 6).
A time to love ...
Oh there is ALWAYS a time to love! And so many reasons! Only yesterday, when Papa Bear was looking over the post I had written about the 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge (he did smile when he saw the part about the 3 Valentine cards!), he turned and said to me, "Mama Bear, you don't need to worry about being a better wife! Just keep cooking the chicken like you did yesterday, and I'll always think you are perfect!" Ohhhh Papa Bear!
I love you sooooo much!
(The roast chicken we had for our evening meal on Sunday was delicious mind you, but I think that was more thanks to the chicken, which was a particularly large and succulent one, rather than any special cooking skills of mine! But I'm VERY glad that Papa Bear enjoyed it so much!).
A time of peace ...
The true peace of knowing we are always enfolded in God's love, is the greatest peace of all.
Love, Mama Bear xxxxx
