To everything there is a season...

 


“If you didn’t know how old you were, how old would you think you are?”

That was the question I was asked as I was getting to know some of the people I am currently serving with in Nicaragua.  

My reply was, “27” (probably pretty close to the age of many of the group members I was talking with…).  But on Monday, when we arrived at the Amigos for Christ compound where we all are staying, I introduced myself to one of the high schoolers and was immediately greeted with, “Oh, you’re the MOM!”

Shoot!

While I had been enjoying the feeling of camaraderie while talking with the twenty-somethings, this four-word remark brought me right back into my reality.  I’m not 27 anymore!  Not even close…  And while I feel like the same school girl who would have really enjoyed being part of this “gang”, I’m now old enough to be each of these kids' mothers (and in truth for some, even their grandmother).  My role has changed.

As I write this, words from the book of Ephesians are running through my head, “For everything there is a season, and 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 up that which 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 together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, 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 for war, and a time for peace.” (Ephesians 3:1-8)

And so, while I would love to be one of the “girls” giggling, and sharing stories; as a surrogate “mom” I have the opportunity to do some things that I wouldn’t have done when I was 27.  I can offer some wisdom (born of the school of "hard knocks"), I can bolster and encourage, I can give free “mom” hugs, I can share my testimony, and I can attempt to model what a person trying to live her life for Christ looks like.  Maybe, I can even plant some seeds of faith,,.

I think maybe the key to happiness as you grow older, is not reminiscing about the “good old days” but rather in recognizing there are different seasons of life, and within each there are opportunities for joy and value to be gained and shared….

 

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