To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the 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 get, 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 of war, and a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Seasons of Life
I’ve been blogging for six years! Can you believe it? And I still struggle with how to share what’s going on in my life. If you haven’t guessed, I’m a private person. Some may even call me a hermit. But when I created this blog, I knew sharing was a necessary part of building friendship.
It’s not that I don’t want to share with my friends. I love my friends, so why shouldn’t I want to share with them?
Truth be told, it’s not about the sharing but the caring. I love my life. It’s not an exciting one, but it’s who I am and what I do. Still, I struggle with why anyone would care about what I do? Do you ever wonder that, or is it just me?
Funny thing, when I notice someone has disappeared on a blog or social media, I immediately wonder if they’re sick. Why don’t they let us know what’s going on? 😊 For the record, I love reading about what ever one else is doing. Lol! Anyway, I’ve been absent lately, and I thought I should share what is going on.
Most of you know my daughter had Covid last month. It took several weeks for the household to bounce back from the no sleep, high-alert, and endless days and nights. Thankfully, everyone is beginning to feel like themselves. What we didn’t realize was the following weeks would bring permanent changes to our lives.
Before we closed the books on August, I lost six people in my life. Three friends and three family members. Two from Covid. Four from various health and age related problems. One was my aunt who was like a mother/sister to me. It’s been an emotional whirlwind for the past seven weeks. And let me tell ya, I’m tired.
For the past three weeks, we’ve sorted through personal documents and belongings, relived memories, and gotten reacquainted. We’ve cried, mourned, and laughed. The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us there is a season for everything. And just like the writer mirrors the opposites in the same sentence, this season has been a sad and hopeful one. Sad because of our loss. Hopeful because it’s not the end. It’s not goodbye.
To all the family and friends, we’re praying for you.
Heaven and Earth
Earth whispers, “Farewell.”
Witnessing a departure.
Heaven shouts, “Hello.”
Welcoming an arrival.
Until then,
We wait.
© 2009 Gail Johnson
Announcement
Please join me next week when Stephanie Daniels will be sharing her latest book and talking about Kindle Vella! Y’all, I love this story.
Gail Johnson 
So happy to reconnect with you, Gail. I’m sorry it’s been such a hard season for you, but the Lord is seeing you through. Prayers for strength and deepened faith as He leads you through this valley. Sending love and hugs! xoxo
Hi, Karen. God is good and He is seeing us through! Sending love and hugs backatcha!
I truly am sorry about the drastic changes in your life.
We are not an island and I’m happy that you were able to reach out and ask for prayers at that difficult time.
What’s amazing is our sisterhood and that means we share the same Father.
I’ve always been a reserved person myself but little by little I was also able to reach out to others. It’s really quite liberating.
Thank you for sharing and may the next season in your life be calmer.
Thank you, Sandra. I’m glad we’re not an island. What would we do without friends? Thank you for your prayers and your messages of encouragement. You have been such a blessing during this time. 💕
I’m so sorry for your loss, Linda. I know one can feel mentally, physically, and emotionally drained during those seasons. And I agree. We were expecting more from this year. And when things happen one after another it leaves us feeling helpless to know what to do. Thankfully, we know someone Who understands and renews our strength. You are a blessing, Linda. 💕
I’m so sorry to hear about all that has gone on in your life and those you have lost. I’ve felt similar when I’ve lost four in a week or two or three. It’s been a hard year for many. And we thought 2020 was hard! It was. We were just expecting so much from this one. God is still here, still in control, and still taking us to a place and time that he wants. It will be so good when we get there!
Good evening, Gail, I join you in praise to the One who brought your daughter through Covid. I also join you in both the sadness and the hope. Loss is hard. Multiple losses are harder. When those who have died were believers, our hope increases, as your poem reminds us. There is just a wait between here and there. May God bless you with rest this given evening. In Christ, Julie
Thank you for that precious prayer, Julie. You are so right. We serve a mighty God. Continued prayers for you and your family. May the Lord bless as you continue ministering to those in need. Blessings, dear friend. 💕
I’m so glad that your daughter recovered, but so sorry for your losses. God bless you and give you His peace as ‘we wait.’
One of my very favorite scriptures! And like you, I’m a very private person too (being in ministry kind of pushed me into that, I think), but sometimes we do need and should share some things. Thinking of you as you go thru this “hard” period. A definite time of sadness, but of hope too!
Carole, thank you for your encouraging words. You are a blessing, my friend!
Thank you for sharing your heart, Gail. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.❤️
Jill, thank you for all you do. You are such a blessing to me. Thank you for those coveted prayers. ❤
xo
I’m praying for you and your family. Sending love and virtual hugs.
Melissa, thank you so much for those precious prayers! And thank you for being such a sweet and irreplaceable friend. Blessings, dear heart.
I know you’re experiencing one of those rough seasons. Loss is hard. And multiply it and it can be very hard to wade through all of the sorrow. I’m so glad God answered our prayers (the way we wanted) for your daughter. ❤️
I’m so thankful too, Stephanie! Blessings, my friend. 💕
I’m thankful that I found your blog. It’s a blessing to find a connection with like minded people. I could be identified as a hermit too or at best an introvert. I took a break from the blogging world for several years as I became the caretaker of my husband who had cancer and a bone marrow transplant. I tried to blog through it but hit a wall when he went through 2 open heart surgeries and respiratory failure in a span of 3 years after his transplant. Life got to be too much and still quite challenging but thankfully he is still cancer free. All that to say, I can identify with what you’ve written here. May the peace of the Lord be with you and your family during this difficult time.
Oh Nancy, I’m so sorry for all you and your husband have been through. Those seasons are difficult to navigate. I’m truly thankful we have a Shepherd who leads, comforts, and protects us during those times.
Thank you for your sweet words. I’m glad to have met you and found your blog! I love how Jesus introduces us to new friends. Praying for you and you husband. So glad he is still cancer free. 💕
I love this passage of scripture. It reads like poetry and packs a punch. It is poignant yet delivers hope. Praying for you in this season of your life. May you continue to be inspired by life.
Thank you, Betty. I love “It reads like poetry and packs a punch.” The idea that God promises us a rose garden is cast down in this passage. But the good news is God is still God in every season! 💕