A season for all things

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

The other day, E asked me to play with her--which, in that particular moment, meant bouncing a big rubber ball back and forth in the kitchen. There were a thousand things I would rather have done just then--the baby had just gone down for a nap and I knew the minutes would be short--but I sat down (reluctantly) and waited for the ball to come to me. While I waited, I glanced up and read the verse from Ecclesiastes written on the chalkboard on the wall.

There is a season for everything. I reminded myself that that means that there are things that are not "in season" right now (like doing what I wanted to do instead of what the toddler insisted we do), and that's OK. It means there is a season for nursing babies and entertaining toddlers, and that might not be the season to pursue a new hobby or build a business. Sometimes it's easy to see that. And maybe it's easy to accept it, or maybe it stings a little when we realize we can't pursue the things we would like.

But as I bounced the ball back to my sweet three-year-old, I realized something. No, this might not be the season for me to learn a new skill or take on a big project. But it IS a season for playing silly games and staging tickle fights and singing goofy songs. Now is the season for playing with my little ones, for forging deep connections and living life with them while they'll still let me. And those future seasons, the ones I foresee being full of all the things on my personal agenda? Well, they won't be full of these moments. This season will pass. And once it's gone, it's gone.

Not following me? It's a shift in perspective that's pretty subtle, so let me say it another way.

Embracing the current season doesn't necessarily mean just putting up with its trials, though that's often how we view it when we hear this verse. That's what comes to mind for me, anyway. But embracing our season also means living out the good possibilities to their fullest, because they might not be possible later. It's the difference between have to and get to. It means recognizing and seizing the opportunities we have to make this season beautiful, right now. For everything there is a season--don't miss your chance.

For playing Hi Ho Cherry-O and Candyland, there is a season. Don't miss it.
For brushing her hair and painting her nails, there is a season. Don't miss it.
For listening to her sing and watching her dance without a stitch of self-consciousness, there is a season. Don't miss it.
For being with her all day and having her love every minute, there is a season. Don't miss it.
For hearing every detail about what fascinates her, there is a season. Don't miss it.

Because if you miss it, you'll miss it. You'll wish you could rewind time and go back to those "good old days"--but it doesn't work like that. Embrace this season, because seasons change.