SEASONS OF LIFE
Kathy writes:
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the
heaven :.” Ecc. 3:1
Have you ever had a bad day that turned into a bad couple of
days that turned into a bad week, etc.? I already know your answer.
The truth is, we have all experienced these times. What appears to be
the beginning of a normal day can drastically changed in a matter of
moments.
Here’s an example: A Monday started out fairly normal until Monday
evening when I received a phone call that Donivan’s mother had passed
away suddenly. This was the beginning of a strange and unusual week.
On Tuesday, Donivan and I went to the funeral home to discuss the
arrangements-never a pleasant thing. Because of strained and distant
relationships, it was incredibly strange and difficult. A whole array
of feelings were present. Feelings of wishing we could have done more,
knowing that our hands were tied, others not understanding this, and
relief that this chapter was coming to a close. Sorry that someone was
dead, but hopeless in knowing what could be accomplished now.
On Wednesday, I left work and went to the parking lot and realized my
car had been broken into and attempted stolen. As I looked at the glass
all over my passenger seat and my steering column torn apart, the
realization that my car had almost been stolen hit home. My car is my
one cherished material possession. I get upset if even a small scratch
appears. I sat in the car, trying to decide what to do. A rational
person knows what to do. I was not rational. Finally, I decided I
should probably call the police and did so. Of course, that was a
hopeless thought because I know the attempted theft of my car would be
low priority, if priority at all. The person I spoke to said I could
have a police report done at home, so I elected to leave and take Joshua
to his last drama class where a pizza party was in progress. I guess
you don’t realize until you are a parent how important it is to get your
child to a pizza party! I dropped Joshua off and went home, intending
to get our other car and return to pick him up, but I didn’t have a key
to the other car. So, I decided to drive my car back over there and
then it started to rain. My windshield wipers would not work, so I
turned around and went back home and made arrangements for Joshua to be
brought home. Then I called the police. It took them over an hour to
arrive and when they did arrive, they gave me no hope of catching the
thief.
Then came the day of the service for Donivan’s mom. What a day!
Everything went fine as far as the service, but all kinds of thoughts
and feelings surfaced. It was as if the events of the day, the week,
and my whole life were at the forefront of my mind, especially after
also traveling to the cemetery where several of my family members are
buried.
And then my best friend from junior high/high school called to say her
mom passed away. I was asked to participate as a close friend of the
family. Ruth was a great person and was a great second mom to me when I
was a teenager. She was so much fun to be around and I could really
talk to her. She was my confidant and gave me so much enthusiasm for
life. Even though we had lost touch over the years, I will never forget
her. When I was 16, my uncle on my father’s side passed away. He was
the only sibling of my father and he had no wife or children. Even
though I barely knew that side of the family, I had a desire to go.
Ruth made it possible. She loaned her station wagon to me and her
daughter (my best friend), Cheryl, and let us go BY OURSELVES all the
way to Minco, Oklahoma, a 2BD hour drive from Tulsa. We had no idea
how to get around Tulsa, let alone half way across the state! But we
made it. Every time we made a right turn, we threw our hands in the air
and cheered. That was one of the most meaningful days of my life.
Ruth, I’ll always be grateful!
And here I am now reminiscing about my life and those that touch it or
have touched it.
God has a marvelous plan. I don’t really understand it, but I know it
will be revealed. Paul says in this life we look through a dark glass,
but some day we will see God face to face. Sometimes the waters of life
get muddy or foggy, but God has perfect vision and a perfect plan. We
just have to let go and trust Him with our very lives and future.
There’s an old saying that there is a silver lining behind every dark
cloud. That silver lining is Jesus, and He is preparing every step of
the way for you. Whatever you are going through today, know that God
will turn your sorrow into joy and you will see the benefit of the
journey.
Donivan and I have seen God moving among family members and bringing
healing for them and us as a result of his mother’s death. I think all
of us will see more clearly now. Miracles are happening as I write.
Things too personal to write, but it’s happening.
My car is just a car, and I was reminded with that spiritual thump
several times that I could have lost my whole car! All of the damage
can be repaired, and the car will probably be better than it was before.
We had an extra car, so I was still able to get everywhere I needed to
go. God is so faithful, He always provides! The truth is, I don’t like
Donivan’s car which I ended up driving, so there’s a lesson to learn,
even in that. It’s a long story . . .
As for Ruth, she is now deceased at 53 years old, but God has moved and
brought so much healing between Ruth and her daughter Cheryl, daughter
Chris, and son Kenny. Relationships that had been strained for years
have all been forgiven and love has been restored. Even Ruth’s
ex-husband and father of her children made things right with Ruth and
they forgave each other for the many years of unhappiness. True to form
(I was not surprised in the least), Ruth planned her own funeral. Right
down to the order of service, flowers, and asked her to children to
perform for a tape recording played at the funeral. Ruth listened to
the tape with great approval. My heart was touched when she asked
Cheryl to contact two of her high school friends, one of them being me
and the other Jessica, because we were special to her.
I visited the graves of my own relatives, one being our former pastor
and my dear aunt. I remembered with a tear in my eye how wonderful she
really was and how I hope I can only live up to at least half of the
wonderful woman she was. Knowing that the reason I’m here today doing
what I do is her. She gave me hope and confidence and taught me to love
people and minister to them.
God has a plan! Wait for it with great anticipation!
In His love,
Kathy