"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven …. He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time…I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat, drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil – this is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11- 13
Although many of us connect Ecclesiastes 3 to death and funerals, I am also reminded of God's plans for our lives and all its seasons. In a devotion written by Luci Swindle, she notes that "in music there is a wonderful thing called phrasing where the performer punctuates or caresses the flow of sound according to the mood he or she wishes to convey. The rising and falling, the peaks and the valleys are what make music interesting. This is what allows the artist to achieve both unity and variety."
We need unity to prevent chaos, but without variety, we'd be bored. God's gift to us through work is a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. I have to tell you I have never had a greater sense of satisfaction than the almost 6 and 1/2 years I have spent with you as your parish nurse. Although there have certainly been peaks and valleys, it has truly been a gift from God. I thank you for giving me this privilege. But, now, after much soul-searching, prayer, and thought, I believe it is time for me to move on to another "season" of my life. I have decided to retire from my role as your parish nurse early this summer (exact date still to be determined).
Yes, "there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven", but they are not always the same time. Sometimes, we try to do it all, but soon recognize we can’t. When we can't do it all at the same time, we are meant to do only some of it. Choices have to be made. As some of you already know, I have been struggling with my priorities over the past year. Sarah Ban Brethnach notes in her book, Simple Abundance, "only the heart knows what’s working in our lives." I have come to recognize the importance of loving relationships and connections with those we care about, including family. There have been many changes in my life during the years I have spent with you. I have been blessed with four wonderful grand-children I adore. Unfortunately, they do not live close by. From personal experience, I know how important a role a grandparent can play in the life of a child. I need more time to play this role, to nurture relationships with friends and family, and to care for my own physical and spiritual well-being.
David Richo, psychotherapist, notes that the serenity prayer asks God to give us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change. He believes one of the most important is that, in life we must accept that everything changes. Acceptance of change is in a sense accepting what is, including our circumstances and our feelings. We accept that we are not in control, God is. We accept this is the way it is meant to be right now. It’s all right as in "You lead, I’ll follow", and "Everything is going to be all right." This is simply part of this journey we call life.
When we accept that things change, we become trusting of the cycles of life as steps in our growth. When things do not always go according to our plans, our faith is stretched and we are pushed to trust in God's love and wisdom. We are reminded who really is "in charge".
When we are faced with change, our initial reaction often is fear. Let me assure you this is normal. But, according to Maureen Burns, this fear will usually "be followed by other stages: resistance, compliance, acceptance, and eventually support for the change". Change is difficult for most of us. I know I face these changes in my life with some anxiety. We’re all "set in our ways". Burns offers resources to help us deal with change:
Attitude. Maintain an open mind, be prepared to stretch, expect the best, have faith in yourself and others to successfully navigate this change.
Self. When filled with doubts resulting from impending changes, remind yourself of all the previous changes you’ve coped with successfully.
Supportive people. Surround yourself with supportive people and avoid negative people and negative thinking.
As we look to this upcoming change, I again turn to Luci Swindle who writes: "As the melody of our lives unfolds on a daily basis, the high point lies in the fact that God is never going to make a mistake with the motif he’s especially designed for us. Whatever he does will endure forever. …As we live, work, and bear our burdens, be assured that the melody of our lives is controlled by the eternal God of the universe who knows us from beginning to end. Let there be no question of what the song is all about."
Let me assure you that although I am retiring from my role as parish nurse, I will not be retiring from my involvement with Our Savior's Church. I'll still be "hanging around"! Certainly I remain your caring friend and hopefully I will be able to continue doing some of those activities I especially love in this church. I thank you for all your love, support, service, and caring over the past years. I ask you to provide that same support and love to your new parish nurse. Now, as we remember fond memories from the past, let us also look with excitement to the future.
It is time to say "yes" and "thanks" for all that is yet to be.
Peace and joy,
Bonnie