The Bible for Women

Weekly Devotional

Tis the Season

Ecclesiastes 3

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

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,

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.

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

As we all enter this holiday season, I pray that we are all mindful of our friends, our family members, and others who touch our lives from afar. Each one of us is in a different place in our lives. Each one of us is experiencing a different season. Let us not forget that although someone may be smiling on the outside, her heart may be torn apart on the inside. Let us not get caught up in our own masquerade that we forget to reach out to those who need us and reach out if we need a hand to hold ourselves. Let us be sisters in Christ who truly care about other people. Let us be known-as the scriptures say- by our love for each other. Be mindful of those who have suffered loss this year. Be mindful of those whose families have been shattered. Be mindful of those who are physically sick and be mindful of those who are battling mental illness- the holidays can be a tragic time for them especially.

Let us seek the Father on behalf of all those who need our love, our prayers, a card, a call, a kind word, a thought, a hug, or a hand and to hold. Let's take time out of our busyness and encourage one another. Merry Christmas.

May God bless your week. Margie