1 “To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:”
4 “A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;”
6a “A time to gain,
And a time to lose;”
~ Ecclesiastes 3 ~
For quite awhile now, I have been contemplating time. It has always amazed me that in God’s book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them (Psalm 139:16). Knowing that God has not only numbered our days, but is keenly aware of the events and their timing within the span of those days just astounds me and, on days like today, brings me great comfort.
I love to reminisce about this day seven years ago. In fact, it was one of those days that Mike and I always loved to think on and remember. It was a time of laughter, dancing, and a time of great gain. I do not mean a time of financial gain (though we were lavished with such generous gifts). No, this was something far more valuable than money or stuff; it was the day, it was the time, that I gained a husband and he a wife.
I remember in those months of prayer prior to Mike and I dating, God confirmed in my heart that one day He was going to bring us together; It was all a matter of timing. I just held it in my heart and kept it to myself. I didn’t know then how everything was going to pan out, but seeing God’s hand moving in both of our lives to bring us to the day we said “I do” was such a thrilling adventure. Indeed, His timing was perfect, is still perfect, and will always be perfect.
When we pledged ourselves to one another for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do us part, we honestly were thinking and committing to 50+ years. I mean, on your wedding day, I think a part of all of us envision journeying through life with our spouse until we are in our 90’s and drifting to heaven together in our sleep. We could have never anticipated that our journey would only last a little over 6 years. Though seemingly short, they were full. Those years were filled with times of laughter, dancing, and such great gain (especially when our daughter, Chloe, and son, Caleb were added to the family – they sure love to laugh and dance). We had our tears and our losses as Mike’s health declined, but we also saw God’s hand and purpose. From a human perspective, yes, our marriage was not as long as we would have hoped, but when I think on the truths in God’s word, I am reminded that 6 years, 3 months, and 16 days was the precise amount of time that God had for us…it was the fullness of His time.
Today, though the time of weeping, mourning, and loss has come and my heart is deeply missing Mike, I rejoice that we were true to our vows and that our covenant held strong. I rejoice that God is precise in His timing, that at precisely the right time God sent His Son Jesus to redeem me and call me His own …
4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
~ Galatians 4:4-5~
And at precisely the right time He is going to call us all home!
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
~ Revelation 22:20 ~
(Written September 5, 2016)