A Time to Embrace

Last week, I had a birthday. Another one. They seem to come about once a year. Ha!

So many people said, “Happy Birthday,” to me, which was sweet. I spent much of the afternoon on various calls. My sisters did a FaceTime call with me, which was amazing. My four daughters did a Zoom meeting with me, and I loved seeing them talking with them. Then, my son called for a short chat since we would see him in the evening. And, I had a phone call from my best friend, whom I don’t hear from nearly as often as I’d like.

I should have been so happy. We had dinner with my son’s family, a fun time. It was good to get out, grab a few groceries, and spend time with those we love. 

Still, I struggled this birthday. I think a lot of people are battling the same issues I am. I miss my daughters. I miss my grandkids. I miss my sisters. I miss good friends. And, I miss hugging the people I love.

It’s been months since we’ve been able to travel to see anyone. Has it for you too? Having those grandbabies smile when they see you and being able to hug those little bodies close is something I didn’t take for granted, but I also didn’t treasure those times like I should have. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 talks about there being a time, or a season or purpose, for everything. 

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: 

A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; 

A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; 

A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; 

A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; 

A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; 

A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; 

A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NKJV)

These words carry so much wisdom. Such truth. Learning when to keep silent and when to speak would benefit most of us. As would knowing when to keep or when to throw away.

The one that jumped out at me is, “A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing.” I never understood that line like I do now. This is a time to refrain from embracing. Not because we’re being standoffish, or overwhelmed with hugging too many people, but for the safety of others. Who would ever have thought a time like this would come? Yet, God had this already planned and written down. 

While refraining from embracing, staying at home instead of getting together with friends or family, and changing to a foreign lifestyle is hard, I know I can trust God to have a handle on current events. I can give up my birthday blues and allow worship to encourage me that this is for a time or a season, not for all eternity. 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:16-17 (NKJV)