For Everything There is a Season

The sunlight of Monday is climbing down the tile roofed houses across the fairway from our kitchen. The whirring of the washing machine and the chirping of the dying battery on the fire alarm are the only sounds of the morning. McKenzie is sleeping peacefully, belly down, booty up. Lois also is catching up on much needed rest. Josh left for the farm a little while ago. Mike left for the hospital long before.

This weekend has been the living out in our lives of Solomon's words in Ecclesiastes 3.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...

Saturday morning found us at the hospital visiting Josh's 93-year-old great-grandpa, Joe. Last Sunday, he fell at his home in Mesa and fractured his femur. He underwent a successful surgery on Tuesday, but has since been very unaware of what is going on around him. At first the doctors and nurses said that it was because of all the pain medication. That has been compounded now by their belief that he had a heart attack sometime after the surgery.

Every day, Josh's grandpa, Mike gets up around 4:30 am. He makes coffee and heads to the hospital. He stands by his dad's bedside all day, holding his hand, talking to him, and stopping him from pulling off all his monitors. Not complaining, he comes home about 9 pm. Exhaustion lines his face, but he doesn't say a word about it.

Mike's most powerful words are the ones not spoken. In his faithfulness and diligence in taking care of G.G. (great-grandpa), he lives out volumes. His actions tell of the selflessness and sacrificial care of his Lord, who gave His life for our sins. Mike's witness is powerful.

Although he could not come, Mike advised that my parents not cancel the annual 'Josh and Steph Going Away Party' that they had scheduled for Saturday. We proceeded as planned. My mom and sisters set a festive table, decked in Washington National's

colors: red, white, and blue. Even the

marched in unison to the theme. There were mounds of delicious food and the house echoed with laughter and chatter and children.

It was a joy to see dear ones and a blessing to enjoy fellowship

with them. After all of us had eaten and talked and eaten and talked some more, everyone gathered in a circle and prayed for Josh and McKenzie and I as we embark on this new season. Our family does this every year for us, but this time I was touched by the various facets of each prayer that was offered on our behalf. Each person prayed from their life experience and asked the Lord for what they saw as the important issues. Each complementing the other.

Josh's catcher, Quaid, prayed for Josh's arm and for his strength. My sister, Annemarie, who just got married and lives in Colorado Springs with her husband, prayed for good friends and godly women in my life. My mom prayed for Josh and I as parents. My dad pyed for success and perseverance and fortitude for Josh. Each petition was a sparkling facet of a diamond that they laid at the foot of the Throne that night. I was dazzled by its beauty and brilliance and amazed at how the Lord uses the prayers of His people to brighten the dark unknowns of our lives.

There are times in our life and in our day for everything. And sometimes, walking through the valley of the shadow of death and celebrating new beginnings come on the same day.