When is it Time?

Saturday - April 4, 2009

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

As it is so well written, there is a time for everything. We don't always know when that time might be for these things to take place. This past week has been a time for one to be born and for one to die. I know there are many families who have gone through in a week's time the joy of hearing a newborn baby cry, and then see the tears flow when a close one has left this world for a far better place.

This happened to our family this past week! Bill and I were still starry eyed and in awe at the precious baby girl that was born last Friday - March 27, then we received news that Mom's biological sister had passed away on Monday. Not only did we receive the news about Aunt Olive (Blankenship), but their nephew, Charles Whitman, who was the son of their oldest brother, also passed away on Monday! This news hit Mom pretty hard. She had a feeling that Aunt Olive was not doing well - she was 90. Their nephew, Charles was 74. Both funerals were going to be held in Logan County, at different sites and different times. Mom realized it would be too much for her to attend both, so we went to Aunt Olive's services. It was a beautiful and heart warming message full of hope and one of remembrance.

Mom does have one "foster" sister, Aunt Ruby, who is in a nursing home in Logan. Aunt Ruby's parents were Mom's aunt and uncle who took her in to raise when she was eight weeks old. Mom's mother died the day after Mom was born. Mom was as close to her "foster" sisters as she was her biological sisters and brothers.

As I sat here at Mom's this evening this passage came to me and caused me to reflect back to what had actually taken place this past week. To be so high with your emotions and then be so sad in a matter of minutes. God knows the time for our births and deaths, and we have to trust Him and know that He will take care of everything.

Another thing happened today that made me reflect back on "when it is time" and that God will let us know when we are to reach our Heavenly home. Dink has had several heart attacks and most recently suffered a massive stroke. He has told the story that during one of his heart attacks he felt himself walking down a tunnel. At the end of that tunnel was our Grandfather Layne who had passed away back in 1970. Pappaw met Dink at the end of the tunnel and told him to go back, that it was not his time!!!!! Dink said it was so real!!

Today he told Rhonda he saw Jesus. Jesus told him he was going to be alright and that it was not his time. If you could have seen Dink when he first fell ill, and see him now, you would see how much progress he has made!! Rhonda questioned Dink as to whether he had seen Pappaw, Dad, and John, He said no, just Jesus, and that Jesus told him he would be okay!! The determination he is displaying is one that he knows he will be okay! He is talking more - not fluent, but enough we know what he is saying. He walks with assistance and the use of a brace on his right leg, and a cane. He is now experiencing a tingling sensation in his right arm, which the therapist says is a good sign. He will be in Health South for one more week, and then home he goes! He is so ready to get home!!! He will continue his therapy as an outpatient at St. Mary's.

February 13, 2009 was not Dink's time to go home - God was in charge! March 27 was the date God chose for Cora Ann's birth. So many things to be happy about, and even with the sad events there is happiness in that we know that our loved ones are now walking down Heaven's street and being greeted by all those who have gone before them!!!!

We will miss Aunt Olive and Charles, and we will cherish our time with Cora Ann making memories that will last forever!

Whether you believe in these dreams or not is dependant upon your own experiences and beliefs. I believe Dink, because I believe God does send messages to us, and sometimes we don't listen. We always ask God to watch over us and possibly ask for certain things to happen or not happen. We know "there is a time for everything!" We aren't always privy to "when!"