Appreciate Your Season of Life

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

As one ages, the idea of seasons of life becomes clear. By that time, you realize that you let your life slip away wishing for something else.

Children rarely appreciate the gift of youth—no bills, no job, no aches and pains. They are more often wishing they could be older. The appeal of greater independence draws them, and they’re unable to see the beauty of childhood. As children become young adults, they are burdened with work life and family life. At this stage, parents are often waking at all hours of the night with young children, and life seems like a constant struggle for sleep, for money, for importance. They look fondly at a later time in life when everything will slow down. In middle age, work and responsibility are great. The promotions have happened only to now find that importance means endless tasks, responsibilities, and stress. On top of caring for older children, middle aged adults often begin caring for aging parents. This adds another load of responsibility, and they feel torn between their many mounting obligations. When retirement finally comes, so does perspective. The body is wearing down and they see from hindsight—“I wish I would have enjoyed it along the way.”

Life is undoubtedly a journey; it is not a destination. There is sweetness and bitterness in every season. According to Ecclesiastes 3:2-8, there is a time for birth and a time for death, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to gain and a time to lose, a time to be silent and a time to speak. Life happens in a quick succession of seasons, and if you aren’t careful, you’ll miss your life waiting for the next one.

Ecclesiastes 3: 11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time…” Don’t miss the beauty of the time you are in. Hug your loved ones and laugh with them. Take pictures of your special moments. Find times to take adventures. Listen to loud music and dance in the kitchen. Make memories and find time for rest. Yes, you’ll be forced to do things you dislike, but also find ways to do what you love. Look at every moment as an opportunity. This, right now, is your life.

Think about it.

What is the season you are in right now? Are you constantly busy and wishing you could stop to enjoy you life? Make a plan now. Schedule in time to make memories. Think about your day. What is a practical way to enjoy your day? Remember that the beginning of a day is important. Begin with an attitude of appreciation for the life God has gifted you.

Read about it.

Read more about enjoying the life God has given you in Ecclesiastes 2:24, Psalms 16:19, Matthew 6:25-34, John 10:10, Ecclesiastes 8:15, Psalms 118:24, Hebrews 13:5, Psalms 37:4, and Colossians 3:23 .

Pray about it.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the life you have given to me. You have laid out before me many days to enjoy here on this Earth. Please give me a new perspective of life. Help me to enjoy the blessings you’ve placed before me. In Jesus name.