By Reverand Pete Hyde
“There is time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Even though the hospital room is dark, it is filled with excitement, anticipation, anxiety, discomfort, joy, worry, and happiness. Though the air conditioning has made the room cool, it is filled with warmth. The new mom and dad dote over the newborn child. Dad does his best to take care of his wife and the new baby. His face is lined with worry and the bags under his eyes reveal his lack of sleep. Emotions are on edge. Grandma holds the child as she squeaks and coos. Grandpa takes a turn when it’s offered. Other family and friends filter in and out. The new parents try to rest when they can, knowing that their schedule is no longer their own. Surrounding all of it is JOY–not happiness, but JOY. Goodbyes were hard. Tears were choked back.
The nursing home hallway is filled with lonely souls in wheelchairs. Some faces are blank while others offer a smile and wave as people walk by. The uncomfortable fragrances come and go as they make their way down the hallway to Mom’s room. Her face lights up as she recognizes her visitors, even if it is just for a moment. The conversation drifts in and out as memories come and go like surfing the channels on the TV. Long ago memories are shared while keeping track of recent events (even today’s) is hard. The visit was long enough, but wasn’t long enough. Goodbyes were hard. Tears were choked back.
He makes his way around the house with his new friend– the walker. Though struggling with his health and independence, he dutifully does the exercises the physical therapist has prescribed, hoping and praying to regain his independence. He likes having the kids around, but probably feels like he is causing an imposition. If truth be spoken, he would rather have the house to himself again. Yet, he is enduring this time without complaint, still trying to be the rock of the family. He is a proud man of deep faith who sits in the front room in the sun each morning reading his daily devotion. Goodbyes were hard. Tears were choked back.
I marvel at the way God is working in each situation. Wishing circumstances might be different, I am still thankful for God’s hand in all of this, even though I don’t understand His timing. But yet, the passage from Ecclesiastes jumps from the page.
“There is time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and time and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8)
Whatever your time in life or whatever your experience of where others are in the times of their lives, be assured that it is all God’s timing, even though we may not understand it. May you be filled with God’s timing and blessing.
Rev. Pete Hyde serves as chaplain with the South Walton Fire District
Author: Sowal Editor
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