Jimbo's Jots

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

 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 from embracing,
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. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, NIV)

This all too familiar verse reminds us of different times that we can recall from our lives. Being in the world of counseling therapy, I get a chance to partner with people who have experienced these different seasons or they are currently in a difficult season.

Being in ministry for over 25 years, I have been able to share in these life moments in a variety of ways. Some have been tremendous moments of celebrations – weddings, new family additions by birth or adoption, graduations. Others have been moments of great sorrow and grief. Our own church family has experienced communal grief on a number of occasions.

As I write this, the month of May is ending, most reading will do so the first week of June. It is hard to believe that we are already through five months of 2025. With each passing day, we are faced with the reality that today is a new day of this season. For some, 2025 has been good so far. Maybe for some we’ve met some goals that we had set early in the year. For others, life in 2025 has been difficult so far. Still others may be feeling that there is a rhythm that kind of balances the two extremes – there have been some good and some bad.

It reminds me of how music is composed. I have been around music most of my life. Grew up singing, especially in church settings. Played an instrument from 4th grade to college. Strum a guitar and play a piano every once in a while. The rhythms and tempos created by the composers create a movement of how they desire to develop a harmonious sound. Often times, as I learn new music, I get frustrated and will often say, “I don’t like this piece.” Then as I learn how the music is to flow, I develop an appreciation and love for the music.

It’s a season! The rhythm and the tempo may be hard right now to pick up. But with patience and practice, we may find it easier to pick up on the song. King Solomon has been right – this may be a season where we need to play or sing the song or we may need to just hear how the song is to be played or sung.

 Be blessed in this season where you are! Be a blessing to others in the seasons!