Maintaining a positive attitude - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Years ago we purchased an old travel trailer for the purpose of camping with our two children. We used it a few times and made a lot of memories for Gwen and I. On one trip we went to Lincoln State Park and setup camp. We were fortunate on that trip to have with us Gwen's aunt Charlotte. Not long after getting there it started to rain. Convinced our fun was over, we decided to stay in the camper playing games in an effort to make the most of the situation.  Aunt Charlotte was an outrageously interesting person and despite her age (the kids thought she was up there) she was smart and funny. The children and Aunt Charlotte bonded and formed a friendship that lasted until her death. Those games were filled with competition and laughter and before we know it, it was bedtime. The next day was sunny and beautiful. As I look back on all our camping trips, that rainy day stands out as one of the most enjoyable. It is as if a wonderful surprise happened when we did not allow rain to sour our attitude. 

I cannot imagine going camping right now, but at that time, in the life of our family, it was prefect. As our kids grew older, they "outgrew" camping with us and wanted to spend more time with friends. It was hard to recognize that time of life was over but it sure was. It really hit hard when we finally decided to sell the camper. We stood in the driveway, close to tears, trying to come to grips with the reality that the family was changing. As we have gotten older, we have been forced to accept quite a few transitions. Maintaining a positive attitude about those changes makes all the difference. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 offers some help in that attitude. "1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens"

Change in our seasons of life has been likened to a trapeze act. The trapeze artist lets go of one bar before taking hold of the other bar coming towards them. There is that moment when there is nothing to take hold of. But unless the artist lets go of one bar, they cannot take hold of another.

When we experience a change of season it is unsettling. We need to let go of one place, one relationship, one church, one ministry, one health situation. And we are not quite sure of what lies ahead. It can seem like we are suspended in mid-air without support.

But clinging to a season that has gone is futile. Our life does not move back, it moves forward. As the old saying goes, Don’t look back, you aren’t going that way. By stubbornly refusing to move on we may be missing what God has for us in the future.

We cannot freeze time. That season you have enjoyed so much may end but that doesn’t mean the end of joy, just that joy may have a different shape. And more positively, that season of pain and sadness you endure will not go on forever. A new season will come.

We can’t refuse change. We can only trust in an unchanging God to help us not only bear the change but embrace the change.

Where ever we are right now is the best place we can be. Making the most of every moment is important. Some people call that "living in the moment" but that is almost too easy. Recognizing God will in our life can offer stability and comfort.  Like it says in Deuteronomy 4:15 "watch yourself very carefully"