As we approach the holiday season, I’m reminded there are many seasons in life. This is timely for my family because the day before Thanksgiving we had to say goodbye to a beloved family pet. Macy was a Labrador full or life and energy until the past couple years. The last few months in particular I noticed a change in her behavior – slower, quieter, sleeping more, etc. It got to the point where I could almost sense in her eyes the question, “I’ve run the race. I’m ready to go – are you going to let me?”
The last season of life – whether it is that of a pet, a friend, or a family member – is a lesson for us. When it’s all said and done, life is only about relationships – our relationships with each other, our bond with cherished pets, the affinity for the groups we are a part of – but most important, our relationship with the Heavenly Father. I believe that is why God created the human race so we can build into each others lives, and certainly that is why He sent Jesus, so we can have an eternal relationship with Him and live forever!
This season is a great opportunity to build into your relationships – with friends and with God. Call a friend you’ve not talked to in a while. Hug somebody – they need it and so do you. Give a gift with no agenda but love and appreciation for somebody you care about. Love the Lord with all you heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Because someday, relationships are all that will have mattered.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the 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 sew; 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. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Blessings on you and yours as you celebrate the holiday in this season of your life!
