All Is Well

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven” 

(Ecclesiastes 3:1 — NIV).

Each spring I’m surprised at how quickly lilies of the valley and lilacs come and go, having hoped for them much of winter, believing they’d appear, only to blink and find them gone. There’s a tinge of sadness, despite the joys of strawberries and blueberries, which always soon follow. I miss these beloved flowers, though I know I’ll experience them again next year. Their presence brings pleasure, while their absence is a bittersweet reminder that a cherished season has passed, spring having graduated to summer.

There’ve been many graduations lately. Ian graduated from high school; Allie graduated from six to seven; and Jacob’s graduated to greater responsibilities on our farm. Most poignant perhaps, a dear friend from college recently graduated to heaven. I love each of these, and I’m feeling a bit sentimental and sad — reminded how quickly time passes. Still, seasons such as these can graduate one to greater heights of prayer and praise, and I do believe all shall be well. For my friend who’s now with Jesus, all is well, and I know I’ll see her again when I, too, have graduated.

This is, after all, my hope as I walk by faith, following Christ. Having taken baby steps as a new believer, I’ve graduated to a broader stride over time and through experience. In life, there’ve been times of doubt and disobedience and the death of dreams. But what I’ve discovered as I hold to hope — through seasons of wondering, willfulness and waiting — faith grows, its roots stretching deeper while reaching heavenward. Times of doubt graduate to certainty. Sin for a season births a greater longing for purity. The death of dreams gradually leads to a life of increased empathy for a wounded world. Ultimately, each serves to develop a deeper, more abiding love for my Savior, and the seed of Romans 8:28 takes root — “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).

Yes, graduations happen. Seasons change, bringing birth and death; wanting, waiting; laughing, crying. Our home is here, and, for every believer, Home is Heaven. As we journey with Jesus, hope, faith and love blossom. Undoubtedly, the greatest of these is Love.

Holding to this promise, we each can know — all shall be well. In truth, all is well.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time…” (Ecclesiastes 3:11a).