Despite myself, the timing of life’s happenings is not dependent upon me…!
I used to stress a lot about fixing things… and people and situations. Everything that was wrong – as I perceived it to be – needed to be addressed right away.
I pushed hard to overcome whatever I found to be wrong. Hours evaporated with pursuits gone on way too long…emails, meetings, conversations, phone calls, hours laying awake at night.
Then something happened.
I got older.
Time added experiences (good and bad) into my life. Time taught me to observe the bigger picture. Time showed me the value of muzzling my quick assumptions. Time allowed me to see that other people also want truth and principles. And one more observation: I have come to appreciate that the idea may be right, but that the timing is not.
I suppose this is wisdom inching it’s way into my existence. Wow… I would be so much wiser if I had allowed Time to begin lessons sooner!
Nevertheless, God is good. He continues to teach and allows time to pass. I’m learning. Daily I pray for the wisdom to know what I need to do and the discernment to release what is not in my purview to solve.
Now, I have more patience. I am gaining perspective. Everything is still not right and just and true…as I perceive it needs to be. :-) But, for now, I try to wait until prompted by the Lord. I’m a bit of a stubborn learner, though. I occasionally stumble back into my youthful ways but I’m stumbling less these days.
Sometimes I am a catalyst for change. Other times it is not my role. But I am coming to realize that there is indeed a time for everything under the sun. If only I had paid more attention to Solomon’s advice sooner!
Your Turn
How have you seen wisdom grow in your life?
There is a 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 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 search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
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)
Posted by Sharon R Hoover
Photo Credit: Helga Weber via photopin cc
