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

I like using this vivid imagery of Ecclesiastes 3: 1 – 8 to frame my life. After all, at the ripe old age of 61 (Good Heavens! How did that happen?), I know a bit about changing seasons.

Per Ecclesiastes, I was born. I was planted into a family that struggled with my father, as he struggled with a bipolar disorder. I was uprooted to live with my maternal grandparents when my mother passed away from cancer. I cried when my mother left me and laughed with my grandmother as we found treasures at local garage sales. I have scattered stones to make firm foundations for new Habitat for Humanity homes; I have gathered stones from my grandparents’ fields to make way for crops. I have lived in Virginia, Minnesota, Australia, Georgia, Guatemala, Bolivia, and North Dakota. Each move was a time to keep and a time to throw away. Finally, as the mother of adults, I daily walk the fine line between a time to be silent and a time to speak.

What has sustained me throughout the seasons of my life? What has given me satisfaction? My sustenance and my satisfaction both come from God. For these reasons, I revere Him. He has been a very real presence for me as I play, work, cry, laugh, mourn and dance. 

My current season features an application for a mental illness case management position, and the resultant wait on the Lord to see what happens next. I would like to return to the social work field, for which I have a degree. I do not know if this will be a season of new growth and challenges, which a new job entails, or a season of waiting on the Lord at my present job as a teacher’s aide. 

No matter what happens in my next season, my prayer is, "Use me as You will, dear Lord, for my faith is in You. Amen." 

What sustains you through the changing seasons of your life?

Susan Jacobson is a newly 61-year old female who presently resides in Bismarck ND. There is only so much Spider Solitaire a woman can play before thinking, "Hmm, what else can I do before I die?" From this arose her interest in blogging as a way to share with other women and praise God. Read more JOY posts by Susan.