For Everything There Is a Season

This passage from Ecclesiastes has always been a favorite of mine.  I love the poetry of it, as well as the message.

From The Message - Ecclesiastes 3

1 There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:

2-8 A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to make love and another to abstain,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,
A right time to love and another to hate,
A right time to wage war and another to make peace. 

Life is full of seasons, it seems.  Women are very connected to the seasons of life, even when they don't consciously know it.  We travel the circle of life from infant, to child, to woman, to crone.  For many of us, motherhood takes us into a new season, which carries us through the closeness of nursing, into the days of letting go, and then into the joys of watching as our children become adults, bring their own children into the world.

Recently, I made a decision to celebrate the seasons of my life.  As I was taking down our Christmas tree, I thought, why can't we leave this up all year?  The immediate reply came back, who said you couldn't?  So, I have kept our tree up. (It is artificial!)

I love the lights, so they are still on it.  Since the winter holidays, the tree has had three reincarnations.  I am looking forward to several more in the months ahead.  


 Valentine's Tree


 St. Patrick's Day Tree


Easter Tree

One thing that I have come to realize is that having a Tree for All Seasons, immediately brings smiles to the faces of those entering our home.  Often they come burdened down with worries, but by the time they leave, they feel more hopeful.  Why?  Because they have become part of our celebration of life!

As the months slip one into the another, let us remember to celebrate the seasons, each in its own way.  Let us remember that even in the face of fear, disaster, disease and despair,  we can find hope, joy and love.

Namasté!

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Comments

wenwolf said…
That's a great idea especially since the tree isn't live. You could even just decorate it with however you are feeling for the month instead of only holidays. Like in Feb. you could have pictures of famous african americans to celebrate black history month. Or if you are feeling inspired by music, you could decorate it with instruments or pics of musicians. In any case, I think it's cool and fun and very affirming. Enjoy!!!
March 27, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Rev. Linda M. Rhinehart Neas, M.Ed. said…
Hi, Wen! Thanks for stopping by! Actually, you hit the nail on the head...I plan a Momma tree for later in April to honor my Mom and a Daddy tree in May to honor him. (Their birthdays were in April and May.) I plan a sea shell tree sometime in the summer and might even try to figure out a neat way to do a poetry tree.

Blessings! Linda
March 27, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Brenda Marroy said…
I kept a tree up year round for about four years. When I moved I packed the tree away, but I'm thinking of getting it out again. I loved celebrating all seasons and everything. What a wonderful idea.
March 27, 2012 at 4:36 PM
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