“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
I had big plans for the summer months and my writing. With my new site up and running, I was energized with anticipation to read and write and share my experiences. Even despite the gentle forewarning from a dear friend, “With three teenagers in the house, you’re going to be really busy these next couple years,” I still approached summer with some unrealistic expectations.
I quickly came to realize long gone were the dog days of summer with toddlers rising to enjoy a day spent at home as the lives of my children grew right along with their shoe size. Plans for the day became less about playing inside or outside and revolved more around fitting in sports and spontaneous events with their friends.
My writing took a backseat in the carpool of life as I found myself smack-dab in the middle of a busy summer.
By July, I had thrown my writing plans out the window and decided to embrace the moment. At first there was a bit of resentment creeping in, but Solomon’s observation in Ecclesiastes reminded me to accept and appreciate God’s perfect timing for my life. I will only have four more summers with my youngest children – even that last one will be a blur of planning and packing for three college freshmen. Katrina Kenison said it best in her book, The Gift of an Ordinary Day.
“And then, with one last turn of season, our family will shift and change shape irrevocably. We will go from a houseful of four (six for me) to a quiet house of two, and my work as a mother of children at home will come to an end.”
Ahhhh. It feels good to be back and spending time with my thoughts. But as my oldest packs his things to return to college and my three teens have started high school, I’m learning to be more content in this season and enjoy the simple blessing of time spent with them.
Yes, it was a busy summer yet I learned to embrace this season in my life.
